Family is not always necessarily "blood". I ride a Harley and spent 25yrs in the military and have a closer bond to some of my "brothers" whom I've known for less than 6 mths over some of my "blood" family. However, sometimes the "extended" family will accept you and help you BECAUSE you ARE "blood" where others would walk away. But, don't mistake their care and concern as just that. They may have ulterior motives, but you might just get lucky with one or two. And you KNOW who you can "possibly" trust enough to test those waters, but ALWAYS TRUST YOUR GUT. 9 out of 10 times it's right. You have to do what is right for you and if your family is toxic then you need to separate yourself. That being said you may find that one or two truly do care, but until you separate the chaff from the wheat so to speak...

But, just because we served and deployed together or we ride together does NOT necessarily mean you are automatically or can even become my "brother" or "sister" until you've earned that right.