[St3v3n]

I'm a little late to the party here, but I wanted to add my 2 cents to the original question, because it's something I've thought about a lot too. The conclusion I've come to is that the word "my" has two separate meanings. One has to do with possession and ownership, but the other is something along the lines of "associated with me." That's the meaning we use when we refer to people, as in "my mother" or "my friend." There is no sense of ownership implied. There is, however, still a sense of belonging. My wife and I belong together, and we belong to each other, but we don't own each other. I guess the difference may have something to do with control. Not influence, because obviously we do influence the people associated with us, but actual control.

Sorta hard to explain, but there, I've taken a shot at it. I hope some of my meaning comes across.