|
|
Many people have friends today that they've been close to for a long time. Some people even have kept in touch with people who they first met when they were in diapers. In a way, you could say that I am one of those people. I have a person in my life that I've been close to for as long as I can remember, and even before that. They've been by my side throughout the years, and have always been close by. In the last few years, they've been close to me but not in the same way. We don't play together anymore and we don't talk as much, but we're still in each others' lives. Sometimes I've wished that we could be close again, but I don't see that happening soon. Time has ticked by and suddenly it isn't normal for him to want to hang with me. After all, who would want to be friends with their big sister?
There's only been a year of my life, one that is unmemorable, where he hasn't been by my side. Having a little brother that is one year younger than me can be a privilege, but at the same time a burden. We've always been "two peas in a pod," and "attached at the hip," which was always a good thing. He really was my first best friend, and I feel a twinge of sadness when I see how distant we've become.
Back in the good ole' days, we always were together. I was always a little more dominant personality wise, and would always choose what we were going to do. I would create games for us to play, and he would usually go along with them. We used to create aliases for each other and go on adventures. I remember being everyone from "Amy and Michael," to taking on the roles of "Benden and Lisa." We would go on adventures from room to room of our house, making sure to stop by the restaurant, (our kitchen) and get treats after a job well done. I remember pretending we were cats and hiding in plastic toy bins with our pillow and beloved stuffed animals, only to be disturbed by the words, "DINNER TIME!" I remember back when we played our favorite game "Sucked up in the vacuum," and pretending that our rooms were really the inside of the bags our mom put in the vacuum.
I remember a lot of things about our childhoods, and sometimes it makes me sad. I don't like thinking that just because we're older, we can't hang out anymore. I understand that we aren't going to be best friends anymore, but I don't see why we can't talk as much as we used to.
My mom says that he is just going through a phase, and I shouldn't be offended. I understand that he's a teenager and teenaged boys need privacy, alone time, TLC with their xbox, etc. What I don't seem to fully grasp is that deep down he probably cares, but doesn't show it.
I'm hoping that this really is just a phase, and that someday we'll be able to be good friends again. Losing a friend is never fun, and it can be doubly upsetting when it is your own flesh and blood. My brother and I may not be close again for some time, and there's always the possibility we won't ever talk much. Though that isn't something I want to have happen, it isn't abnormal in siblings.
If you have siblings, I challenge you to try to get to know them. Be their friend, and try to understand how they're feeling. Show interest in what they're doing and how life is going for them. Be the sibling I wish my brother was, and try to be their friend. You never know - they could want to get to know you better too.
|
