I Have The Greatest Brother

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I Have the Greatest Brother

Seven years ago, James found out that he has a kid (!) sister, not a brother as he'd always thought. He appeared to accept, though, and he and his wife even visited me at home. Two years ago I was suddenly taken ill and they twice visited me in hospital, a round trip of several hundred miles. That meant a lot to me.

I called yesterday to see how they were and spoke at length to my sister-in-law, asking after my nephew and nieces, all now in their forties. I then asked James about some family matter and, somehow, the conversation degenerated into silly sibling banter that eventually had us both in full-on side-splitting laughter.

I can’t ever recall us laughing together like that, even when we were children. Now I really do feel accepted.

James turned seventy last month.

Comments

Greatest brother

Can't really say that my family is all that accepting of anyone. They all do their own thing and it's rare that they ever communicate with one another.

So I'm happy for you, but wish that more families were a little more demonstrative about their love for their siblings/parents or other kin.

Still, as they say, you can choose your friends, but not your family.

Jessica
I don't just look it, I'm totally evil

You can pick your friends

erin's picture

You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose,
You can dress your dog in funny baby clothes,
You can swear like a tennis coach if that's what you wish,
Yukon Tuna Piano--but you can't tune a fish!

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Friends

Andrea Lena's picture

I had a dear friend who was a missionary to eastern Europe years ago. He visited Estonia for the first time, and a fellow compared him to the Finns while contrasting him with the Russians. He asked what the difference was. The man explained that while the Russians were their brothers, the Finns were their friends; you can pick your friends.... For me, I feel at least privileged in that you folks have picked me as a friend, and I am so glad you did. God bless! 'drea

  

To be alive is to be vulnerable. Madeleine L'Engle
Love, Andrea Lena

Another viewpoint!

God gave you your relatives!

But thank Christ you can choose your friends!

LOL

Rita

Age is an issue of mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!
(Mark Twain)

LoL
Rita

family

Andrea Lena's picture

I forgot to rejoice in the lovely report about your brother and the acceptance you have received. A few weeks before my Mom died, I "confessed" about my dressing to her. She expressed no surprise, since she knew it all along; boys can't really keep secrets from their mother, can they? She smiled, but really never said anything after that, so she and I and God are the only ones in my "family" that knew. God bless you for your sweet note to us. 'drea

  

To be alive is to be vulnerable. Madeleine L'Engle
Love, Andrea Lena