Family is not always about blood relations. It’s the people who choose to include you in their lives, accept you for who you are, and support you unconditionally.
Unlike conventional obligations that force people to maintain relationships with biological relatives, these bonds are built on trust, empathy, and compassion—emotions that often prove to be thicker than blood.
A family is defined by the love they give and receive from each other, extending far beyond the constraints of biology. This wholesome exchange can also take place between strangers who swear to take care of each other for love.
This concept is beautifully demonstrated through adoption, a decision driven by love, support, and a sense of belonging. It supports the idea that a true family is built upon shared experiences, understanding, and compassion rather than genetic ties.
Ryan’s story in Separated Lives by Lynn Assimacopoulos is a powerful example of how the meaning of family extends beyond blood relations.
Adopted as an infant, Ryan grew up in a loving home with adoptive parents who provided him with everything he needed: love, care, and support. He also had two adopted sisters and a fulfilling life in New York City.
Despite the loss of his adoptive parents in a tragic accident, Ryan was thankful and cherished the life they provided him. They even helped him find his roots, but there was not enough information to reach out to them. Ryan loved his adoptive parents dearly, and when they passed away, he felt lost.
It was the moment when he felt the need to find his biological family again. Ryan’s decision to search for his blood relatives was not about replacing his adoptive family but rather fulfilling a curiosity he had carried since childhood. Ryan’s search, documented in Separated Lives, highlights how happy and content he was with his adoptive family and that his quest for his biological parents was a personal choice, not a reflection of any lack in his upbringing.
His story shows that while blood can connect us biologically, empathy and compassion are the real essence that define what family means.
Read more about his journey in Lynn Assimacopoulos’ engaging and gripping literary masterpiece, Separated Lives.
