Brothers

I had the opportunity to spend a day with my brother today, something that in years past would have terrified me.  What would I say?  Did we have anything in common to talk about?  Would we be able to get past "the past"?  

I was oblivious, growing up, that I was treated any differently by my parents.  My brothers, 5 and 7 years older than me, always seemed to be at different life stages than me.  They were in high school and I was still struggling through puberty.  I made it to high school and they were off to college.  I graduated college, started a family and had children-they were still single and living life.  It wasn't until they both got married and did not ask me to be in their weddings that I finally realized my relationship with both of them was close to being nonexistent.  Seems petty, I know, to feel hurt that I was not included in the wedding party but I'm sentimental like that.  They were the first on my "whose in the wedding party" list so I guess I just assumed I'd be on theirs as well.  Lots of champagne and tears helped me get through both weddings.

Fast forward a few years.  They are both married and both have kids.  In the past year we have made great strides in our relationships, realizing that family is extremely important to all of us.  There have been rough spots, but as we navigate through them we seem to be growing closer each and every day.  My kids love spending time with their cousins and I am enjoying getting to know my brothers again.

Today I spent the day with my brother and it was a great day.