That quote is a lie. Like the Portal-cake, it is.

Why? Because well, in the straight forward way of reading it, it is probably true, but you can pick what family members you keep in touch with, so therefore it is a lie. The problem shows up when it comes to your closest family, the ones you are told you NEED to keep in touch with.

I can say from my own experience that from time to time, you have to choose not to keep in touch, and just not talk to them, because some people, even people you are related to, will act as a black hole and suck all your energy and love and happiness away.

If you are blessed with a great family and everything usually works out with you guys, then keep them close, by all means! But if you are like me and have certain people in your family that just...breaks you, over and over again, go radio silent on them.

I can try and explain him, but it might be difficult to understand... He never finishes something, be it a job, a plan, a project, a relationship, a meeting, or painting a wall. I have no idea why this seems so hard for him to do, but it apparantly is. He just never finishes. And this would be OK, because some people are not made for finishing things they start, I guess, but this also goes for promises to people who happen to care. "I'll be there for your birthday." "I am building you a new computer for your birthday." "I PROMISE to show up at your confirmation." ...Riiiight, no, he never did. He never does.

Whenever he keeps his promises, is when he is forced or when something is in it for him. Like he allowed us to celebrate my 20th birthday at the hotel he ran at the time, because he earned on it.

He could not manage to drive 2 hours to see me before I left the country for my studies. He threatens family members, he acts like a child not getting his way.

To my point now, done being depressing. Even with the lack of a dad, I have grown up OK, I have a amazing mum, and a great uncle taking on the place as some sort of a daddy-figure for me when I was a teenager, as well as the boyfriend of my mum being there for me whenever. People can be replaced, even the closest family you have. You will be fine without them, from time to time it will hurt like hell to deal with it, but nobody are impossible to replace. Be strong, fight on, and you will end up fine in the end, just never allow them to take whatever they are struggling with out on you, because it is most likely not your fault. Deal with your own head, ask them to stay out of your life, and move on being awesome.

Welcome to 2012 people, make it epic.