Woot, we’re at 20 already…only 15 more to go by Saturday. {snort}
This one is kind of a big one; it’s one that I shouldn’t have to make a “goal,” but in all honesty, it’s something that I do need to make a better effort at, so why not?!
#20 – Develop a Deeper Relationship with My Brother
My brother is a good kid. He’s super likable, is funny, and has a big heart. At three years younger than me, we didn’t have a lot in common and he was always my annoying baby brother. When I was a senior in HS, he was a freshman, and I can remember trying to talk to him when I’d drop him off at golf team practice after school, but we didn’t have too much to say.
When I moved to Texas for college, then on to DC, he grew into a great kid. He moved to CO for college, then got married and stayed there. We have a good time during the holidays and on family vacations. He’s an AWESOME dad and really involved husband.
But I still don’t feel like I know him all that well.
This year, I want to do a better job of calling, texting, and emailing out of the blue. My brother and SIL aren’t great at keeping in touch and while that has annoyed me to no end in the past, I’m not going to let that interfere with my plans. I’ve finally realized that if I want to have a better relationship with him, it will be my responsibility…and I’m ready for that.
If our relationship never grows, at the end of my days, this will be something I’d deeply regret. Wish me luck!
does your bro and sil read your blog?
I too don’t have the deepest relationship with my brother. It’s hard sometimes to develop I think with brothers. But it’s been something we’ve worked on over the past couple of years. It has improved but we have yards to go still. Good luck!
I feel really close to my brother and we almost never talk. He’s 7 years older than me, so we weren’t close at all growing up. In my 20′s, I desperately needed some specific advice (money, relationships) and against all odds, he became my go-to person for these things.
Now we’re both busy with family life and he’s not much a phone-talker or emailer. But when we’re together (and I guess even when we’re not) I feel a deep kinship that came from some foundation building as adults.
I don’t know why I’m telling you all this, I guess just to say that a certain amount of investment can go a long way in time, and also that frequent chatting doesn’t necessarily reflect the truth behind a relationship. I know you know that. I guess I’m reminding myself.
I feel the same way about my brother! I suppose that’s why I made it a priority to visit him last year. And now that he’s getting married (this weekend!), I’m glad that we were able to spend time together just the two of us. It did help me feel closer to him, even if we still don’t talk or email regularly.