What makes up a family? Blood, DNA? Is blood really thicker than water? If so, I think the argument is a bit flawed. What about families who adopt children or have step family or step children?

My father died when i was 6 years old. my mother remarried when i was 13. it was a bit rough at first merging 2 families, of which 3 of the 4 children were teenagers. But despite the 7-10 years of initial teething my parents made it inspite of meddling children, jelousy, ambition and the tricky business of putting 4 children through school and getting them out of the house.

I believe that every pot has a lid or as we say in afrikaans, elke pot het 'n deksel. And my dad is my mom's lid and she is the cheese to his macaroni. They have been through deep waters and are truly an inspiration when it comes to perseverance.

now, i don't think i could have asked for a better father. I often get asked why i call him my father, which to me is a really silly question. he raised me, i look up to him, he tought me a few things about life and love, so then he should be my father. we might not be bound by blood but we are definately bound by love and respect. He is the coolest grandfather to my daughter and a teacher to my husband. he's the kind of guy you phone to help you when you were in a car accident or in a fix or if you need advice when you are trying to fix something. To me, he really does know everything - like every dad should :) And out of respect for my mother, we had to accept that they have chosen each other to share the rest of their lives with.

Now to get back to this family thing. If i was to say that he then is just my mother's husband but not my father that would be wrong. We cannot choose our family or certain family members. i suppose if we could choose them gumtree would be inundated with unwanted family members to swop or resell... HOWEVER, you can choose to accept them for who they are and you can choose to change your attitude and love them or in certain instances tolerate them.

So would i be correct in saying that family is made up of respect, love and tolerance?