After a few hours of sleep I'm wide awake and worrying in the wee hours of the morning. My husband and I spent the past week at my Mom's house with my brother who's 18 years older than me. He's living at her home now, paying all the household bills and tending to the lawn, etc. It's beneficial for Mom and also for him. I don't care for some of the things he does and sometimes I don't care much for him but this morning, I'm really worried about him. He seems different and weak and vulnerable. I am afraid something is wrong and that some day, I'll have to tell my Mom that her son is seriously ill. What's worse than learning that your child is ill or dieing? It will be tough for us all.
I can't help but think about my brother and feel for him - just WHAT I feel is what's keeping me awake. My brother is not what I'd call a nice guy - at least not to those in his family. He's been kind, generous and even loving to friends and even total strangers. To us he's most often mean and impatient. He speaks with NO regard to people's feelings and drinks WAY too much which makes his attitude even more rude and crude. Yet....no matter how much of a jerk he is, when any of us - parents, siblings, cousins, nieces or nephews - has really needed something or someone, he's come through. For all his hurtful crap, he's as dependable as the morning; sometimes that's a cold, grey morning but it's still morning. His attitudes indicate he doesn't like people, wants nothing to do with them or with us, yet lately he's showing some tenderness here and there that makes me reconsider what's really important. His tendency to push everyone way might just mean that he needs some support all the more right now. I won't do it because I care deeply for him or because he's been loving to me but I'll do it for myself. It's selfish I suppose but I couldn't feel good about myself if I left him feeling that no one gave a damn. I feel I owe him something, although I consider all "debts", both figurative and literal, well paid in full. I just can't let him be completely alone and without a soul to care. My husband and I fear that fate someday - no children and nieces and nephews scattered and busy with their own lives, who'll give a damn about us? We'll have to be secure knowing that someone REALLY, REALLY loved us and cared dearly one point in our lives even if one of us ends up alone. My brother doesn't have that to comfort him so I'll do what I can and feel good that I was able to show kindness to someone who could not show it to his family. Some people might call me a martyr for that attitude but let them. They don't have to live with ME. I have to live with me, I have to look myself in the mirror everyday and I'd see something really bad if I weren't there for him.
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You're doing the right thing for the right reason my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt's often crazy, mysterious and hard to peel the cards off the proverbial deck of life and work with what you're dealt. Some people run from the table, leaving the cards right there...they think. But, they're always there waiting for them.
You're doing it both smart and soulfully...and for the right reasons where both your brother and your mother are concerned. And also, for yourself.
Rest easy and sleep well. It may not be an easy journey, but it is the right one. And, it may be a huge learning experience and a twee bit of a bonding experience at the same time.
I've got fingers crossed for you. Looking at one's self in the mirror and knowing you did the best you could is a powerful thing. That way there is no regrets. And, don't ever 2d guess yourself. You're doing the best you can with what you've got at the time. That's all we can do.
Cindy Lou