I guess family is just who they are really. It varies a lot for everyone but I think it's fair to say that no family is perfect. Is blood really thicker than water? Maybe for some but I think the truth is as we grow up & become independent, oftentimes are relationships with our families change.

Personally, I'm quite close to my Mum & Dad. We keep in touch regularly & until recently I was seeing them every weekend for a Sunday Roast but they have moved away now. I think what it comes down to is we just enjoy the company of each other... we aren't a particularly emotional family, I've never said "I love you" to my parents but I still feel a strong connection. In many ways this means my parents aren't as supportive as they could be, my Mum although being there for me is quite business like about things & my Dad just seems not to appreciate my struggles at all which is frustrating.

As for my Sister, well that's changed a lot. Growing up she was a bit of a bully to me being 4 years older but as we got older we got closer. However, as she started getting into relationships & eventually married her priorities changed & I hardly ever talk to her anymore. It seems to me she generally only gets in touch with me if she wants something unless it's Christmas or my birthday. When we do meet up she seems to have mellowed out a bit now having her own family but we still don't seem as close as we used to be.