Is "just family" really enough for anyone?

[blackraven]

ReturningMoon - I have seen friends come and go, mostly go, in my life. But the one constant, as dysfunctional, frustrating and stressful as they are, is my family. My best friend outside of my spouse is my little sister. I'm grateful to have someone that comes from the same family to talk to because she understands all the people in this odd group of folks.

[Louisa]

I feel something somewhat similar. One of the few constants in my life has been my family. I think that if worst came to worst, then I could depend upon them for a few things, at least, if I was in dire straits or completely alone. So despite the fact that I can't be myself with them, and I don't relate to them, in many ways, I try to do what I can not to step on their toes too much and to maintain that connection.

I even harbor the hope of one day rekindling some kind of warmer, more human connection with them. Especially with the one or two who used to seem different, more relatable. Maybe they'd become more like their old self who used to understand me better. Or maybe I could discover whole new ways, to relate to them, and then others. Family would probably be less quick to completely ignore me because I'm unusual. My gestures of attempted kindness might be less likely to be brushed off.

They'd never completely reject and abandon me, unlike "the world". I could've burnt my bridges, but now I wouldn't anymore. How much this forced kindness and passive-aggressive connection is worth is questionable. But, for me, I have an impossible time making any lasting friends at all, and I really need some kind of social interaction beyond what I find elsewhere. I keep in touch, because they're my last resort, or, maybe even a untapped source of kindness and love, in some as-yet undiscovered way.