Strangers verses Family
By Loretta
@noni1959 (12088)
United States
January 13, 2026 4:09pm CST
It's true when they say complete strangers will support you more than family. Grief and hard events will change you and will soon learn who belongs in your life and who to remove. But, why is that? Shouldn't family be there for each other?
Strangers have no emotional investment and can remain unbiased. They don't know about prior instances that families tire of over time. They invest with listening, words, comfort, or help in other forms.
But, what if someone did everything right in the eyes of others, but still don't get the support of their families? It's usually family dynamics.
What’s hardest to understand is when you did everything right, loved deeply, showed up, and still don’t receive support. You’d think love would make people want to help. But grief makes people face things they’d rather avoid, and will minimize your pain. You know, those "at least you..." statements.
Hard times reveal those who show compassion, listen, and stay. They are the ones who truly belong.
12 people like this
10 responses
@celticeagle (184471)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Jan
An owl?! I love them. All of the raptors. My favorite is the Peregrine Falcon but I will enjoy an owl any time. We have the Birds of Prey World Center here in Boise. They had a beautiful owl they were showing off last time I was there.
I agree with your words about family. But we are all human. There is sibling rivalry and many other things that play into family dynamics. Grief has many stages. Families are great but there seems to always be something that keeps them just a little skewed.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (184471)
• Boise, Idaho
3h
@noni1959 .........We have the Birds of Prey World Center here. I'm so proud of this fact because they take care of wounded birds and help them reproduce. It's a great place to visit.
@noni1959 (12088)
• United States
15 Jan
We have owls, eagles, and so many beautiful birds and other. I took this one outside where I am in my travel trailer on the property. I don't talk to my siblings much and can go years in-between. I had to remove the toxicity from my life. I do have other family I am close to and happy for them in my life.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (165796)
• United States
14 Jan
"Friends are the family you choose." is a very good universal truth.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (117376)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
13 Jan
I have heard stories from sports celebrities who mentioned when they fall on hard times is when they fins out who are their real friends and people who care about them.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (93034)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Jan
Having been inside as long as I have been I came to realize I am suspicious of everyone, I saw aoutside the window two guys hanging around across the street, We only have people passing by because our street is very short. So I got ansious watchign them wondering what they were up to and finally they left,
2 people like this
@noni1959 (12088)
• United States
15 Jan
Today, it's hard to not think someone may be up to no good. A few years ago, a man was taking photos of my house and I got upset thinking the worst. He was an insurance adjuster. I'm trying to give benefit of the doubt, but the world today just keeps escalating in violence and harm in other ways.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (211005)
• United States
14 Jan
Many families are dysfunctional...mine was. Families should always support one another.
Love the owl.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (12088)
• United States
19h
@LindaOHio Thank you. I'm OK. I've had many years of healing. 
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (544)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
16 Jan
i also sometimes wonder how a complete stranger's words hit more than a family member's. that sometimes hurt deeply. and why do we take each other for granted, i wonder.
