I'm blessed with a really great older brother

[steve2470]

It was his 60th birthday a few days ago, and by his wishes, we celebrated yesterday in his town, which is 5 hours northwest of me.

My entire family is great. I'm truly truly truly lucky/blessed. It always makes me sad when I hear the family-stories-from-hell that some people have.

[rurallib]

1. did he beat you up when you were young?

Mine sure did -
but both turned out to be decent humans after all.

Consider yourself lucky for good sibling relationships.

[steve2470]

8. no, he was pretty damn saintly actually even then

One time I accidentally (honest) popped him in the mouth during horseplay, and he wanted to kill me lol

We got past that with all limbs attached, thank god Even back then he was a good big brother.

[pinboy3niner]

2. My big brother has always been a hero to me

He served in the Marines and got out just before Vietnam and then saw his two little brothers go off to serve together in the Army in Vietnam. It was long after we returned that we learned our big brother had protested the war and written angry letters to hawk politicians and written antiwar poetry while we were gone.

He also served on a jury that was about to unfairly convict a minority defendant until he turned the jurors to a not guilty verdict.

There is a lot more about Mick that led me to idolize him since I was very young, but those are a couple of the highlights. I was also very close to and proud of my younger brother, Jim, whom we lost too soon a few years ago.

Like you, I feel very sad to hear about fractious families and those who had bad childhoods and bad memories of their school days. I was lucky in all of those things.

A salute to you and your brother for his 60th!

[steve2470]

7. thank you, I'm glad you are fortunate also!

[UTUSN]

3. Well, I'm happy for you, and sorry that my eternal wish has been to have had an older brother. n/t

[steve2470]

5. I've always wanted a sister, older and/or younger or same age lol.... I didn't care!

Guys that have a sister, you are LUCKY. You might not have thought so before age 18, but I think a sister would have been awesome.

If you (meaning you and all of DU) have a not-so-good sister, my sympathies.

[MissDeeds]

4. So happy for you steve2470

My brother, who is two years older than me, treats me like crap. I have tried and tried to have a positive relationship with him, but it's useless. He hates me, and I have no idea why. My mom was a piece of work too, but she died in October. My husband is all the family I have.

Cherish each moment with your family. I think you know how very lucky you are.

[steve2470]

6. very sorry to hear this!

[UTUSN]

9. Well, I think I misread everything. I don't have any brother, always wanted one.

And what family I have tried our best. But I've had more family feelings here at DU than anywhere else.

[pinboy3niner]

10. We are FA-MI-LY!

[Skittles]

11. I had a great older brother, just 11 months older than me

he drank himself to death at age 48

always cherish what you have

[pinboy3niner]

13. I'm sorry you lost him, Skittles

That's a nice photo of the two of you.

[steve2470]

15. so sorry you lost him

Yes, I do cherish him.

[fizzgig]

12. i am similarly lucky

yeah, there's some batshit insanity in the extended family on both sides, but my nuclear family is pretty damned awesome. my sister and i were awful to each other as kids, but we're besties now.

i even got good in-laws (ignoring the fact my fil is a bagger).

[pinboy3niner]

14. I even have good EX-in-laws

Despite the divorce, I've had good communications with my former wife's mother and the rest of her family. Including all 11 of her brothers and sisters! They're just good people.

[steve2470]

16. glad you are fortunate! :) nt