A Lack of Unconditional

There are some people you will always be tied to and nothing changes that. There is history, there are shared experiences, there are crises, there is love and there is blood.

Some we are tied to just through memories and others we'll be tied to until the end and then beyond.

On my 18th birthday, I went camping with my dad, stepmom and sister. I would be off to college soon and we realized how quickly the time had gone by in the year and half I lived with them. My dad took me on a walk through the wooded RV lot, sat me down at a picnic table and proceeded to pour his heart out to me. What I remember most of what he said was that the most important thing I own is my name, that he may let me fall a bit but that he will always be here for me, that there are only 2 good men in the world, him and one other for me, and how unconditional his love was for me, as well as my stepmom's.

And there hasn't been a moment I have ever doubted that. Ever! Despite my stubbornness to learn lessons on my own or the fear to admit I have failed, I always know in my gut, without a doubt, that they will be there.

I see these other families, these other kids that may not ever be that lucky to truly understand what unconditional is or means. Parents that have not handled their own personal demons and take that out on their children. Parents that choose their spouse over their child. Parents that will let their children hurt so they don't have to recognize the issues or the blame. Parents that will take advantage of their title as a parent and the love of their child.

I only hope that children that are missing what is rightfully theirs from a parent look for it somewhere. Just because they are tied by blood to someone that can't give, it doesn't mean they don't have the right to find it somewhere else. Otherwise, it just feels as if something is always missing.

Blood doesn't equal unconditional anymore. Nor does it mean trust, respect, or even safety. Blood is just a tie and should never hold someone back from moving on.

**Brought to you by Lifetime TV and other cases of dysfunctional relationships**