While walking home earlier this semester, I had the dubious pleasure of listening to a young woman argue with her mother. Most of the people walking on that block of Warner Street shared that same pleasure.

Apparently the mother had seen some social media posts of this young lady at a party and called her about it. They had a difference of opinion regarding the appropriateness of the photos.

After hanging up, the young woman shouted “bitch” loud enough to draw eyes from across the street. She began to criticize her mother to the friend she was with, who looked as uncomfortable as I felt.

I understand that some people don’t have what society would call a normal family life — foster care, single parent families, living with other relatives, etc. My family would definitely be considered slightly dysfunctional.

I’m OK with that.

I’ve had two moms. My stepmother is cool, a native of Hawaii, and we’ve had more than our fair share of arguments. I still love her — a lot.

The hardest part about listening to that young woman was that my biological mom didn’t live long enough to see me in college or even high school. She died of lymphatic cancer when I was 14.

I have four siblings, none of which are full blood relations. Two of them are awesome, while the other two . . .

I look forward to the Facebook war as they try to sort out who’s who.

My dad and I don’t talk to each other as much as we would like. I haven’t called him for a few months.

The problem is that, outside of us both wearing beards, we are really different men. That doesn’t mean I don’t love him or vice versa.

But they are there for me, as much as they can be, and I for them. The bonds that hold us together are more than genetic or some piece of paper issued by the courts.

These are the reasons I felt uncomfortable with that young woman’s ranting. People complain about family members but may not appreciate the fact that their family is there for them through good and bad.

I understand that overly involved parents can seem like busybodies. However, I also see that these are the parents and family members who want the best for their kids.

I wouldn’t say that people don’t sometimes have valid reasons for complaining about family. Just remember who will be there in the end and maybe try to see things from their perspective.

Now, I really should go call my dad.

Joseph Rogers can be reached at [email protected] or @JosephLRogers1 on Twitter.