Sibling Love.
What a complicated thing. As we grow up with siblings, depending on how "justice" or parental oversight and moderation was handled during our formative years...sibling love can be such a complicated thing. We want to love our siblings for being "blood" related to us, yet if we do not develop a good relationship growing up this ability becomes strained over time. In fact, if we have a terrible relationship with our siblings during our developmental years, having a good adult relationship with our siblings is usually darn near impossible as we grow older.
The shame of it all...is that we spend more time "living" as adults, than we spend growing up and through our childhood. I think the responsibility of the betterment of sibling relationships relies mostly in the hands of parents and caregivers to teach siblings the importance of helping, being kind and respectful towards your siblings. The age order in this case does not matter. What matters most is that both treat one another with respect and care.
If this does not prove to be the case during developmental years, then as adults, it is possible that siblings can try to rediscover one another as blood related "friends" once they allow old wounds and issues to heal. The strength of the family unit in all societies is really the pillars that carries on those societies in some shape or form.
I once at a family Easter Sunday dinner that so large, it was nearly impossible to keep track of all the relatives. The mother and father had brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles who had kids. The mother and father also had 10 kids of their own. There was a general lesson of love and tolerance handed down from the adults to the kids so that brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles all showed kindness towards one another. Even to me...a complete stranger and simple friend to one of their favorite neighbors. It took nearly 3 hours to serve everyone dinner in that big house. A spare bedroom was cleared out and into into a satellite dining room, as well as tables set up outside the house. It was a wonderful and unforgettable thing to see.
To the best of our ablity to love, forgive, heal...we should all try to remain "family". Whether that is your direct sibling or a lifetime friend who has been like a sibling to you. Love, above all things...is hard work...even when it comes down to your brother or sister.
What a complicated thing. As we grow up with siblings, depending on how "justice" or parental oversight and moderation was handled during our formative years...sibling love can be such a complicated thing. We want to love our siblings for being "blood" related to us, yet if we do not develop a good relationship growing up this ability becomes strained over time. In fact, if we have a terrible relationship with our siblings during our developmental years, having a good adult relationship with our siblings is usually darn near impossible as we grow older.
The shame of it all...is that we spend more time "living" as adults, than we spend growing up and through our childhood. I think the responsibility of the betterment of sibling relationships relies mostly in the hands of parents and caregivers to teach siblings the importance of helping, being kind and respectful towards your siblings. The age order in this case does not matter. What matters most is that both treat one another with respect and care.
If this does not prove to be the case during developmental years, then as adults, it is possible that siblings can try to rediscover one another as blood related "friends" once they allow old wounds and issues to heal. The strength of the family unit in all societies is really the pillars that carries on those societies in some shape or form.
I once at a family Easter Sunday dinner that so large, it was nearly impossible to keep track of all the relatives. The mother and father had brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles who had kids. The mother and father also had 10 kids of their own. There was a general lesson of love and tolerance handed down from the adults to the kids so that brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles all showed kindness towards one another. Even to me...a complete stranger and simple friend to one of their favorite neighbors. It took nearly 3 hours to serve everyone dinner in that big house. A spare bedroom was cleared out and into into a satellite dining room, as well as tables set up outside the house. It was a wonderful and unforgettable thing to see.
To the best of our ablity to love, forgive, heal...we should all try to remain "family". Whether that is your direct sibling or a lifetime friend who has been like a sibling to you. Love, above all things...is hard work...even when it comes down to your brother or sister.
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