Family is beyond our direct family; our uncles, aunts, and their children are also family and deserve equal love as we give to our direct siblings.
I understand that sometimes it is not our fault; the world has become so evil, brothers fight brothers and sisters fight sisters, and sometimes allow these fights to go on to the next generation.
There is a family in my place that is thinking about parting ways. Instead of being one as an extended family, the children are considering separating so that every man can start up his own family tree afresh and forget about their ancestors.
What that implies is that all the male children in that family will go their separate ways with their families and be on their own; the bond and blood that unites them as one big family is breaking.
They will no longer share the same ancestry and other things. Why did they come to that conclusion? Land disputes and other family property.
The family that is supposed to be our safe place has become a war zone. We have heard of people who take the lives of their siblings because of family property.
Issues like this have caused many parents not to let their children have good relationships with their siblings for fear of what the heart of man can do.
A father would deliberately decline and forbid his children from going to the extended family or to visit his siblings because he doesn't want any drama that may arise.
Nevertheless, some families are good, and their relationship is excellent. Personally, I don't have a good relationship with my aunts and uncles from my paternal side.
I don't know why, but some of them don't seem to care; they don't support us or even come around to make us know they care.
I understand the fact that some of them don't have money to support us financially, but it doesn't cost anything to show care, and that's where their weaknesses lie. No one is asking them to do anything; all we want is just some love, but only a few of them are doing it.
However, from my maternal side, my aunts and uncles are like my parents, coming through whenever it is necessary.
Even when they don't have what it takes, they still show up to cheer us up, and I love it. Because of this, their children and I are very close.
We are indeed family. I am proud to have them because today, even if my parents are not around, I am certain they won't let me down.
Sincerely, I want my children to be close with my siblings. My siblings are supposed to be their parents too.
I mean, we came from the same father; the same blood runs through our veins. That means they are also their parents. No matter what happens, I don't want anything to come between my children and my siblings. We are supposed to be one and be there for each other, and not the other way around.
