Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Sibling Comaraderie

(source; Zimbio)
                                                                 



Growing up my older brother and I didn't always get along, but that all seemed to change when he started college.  Suddenly, I was transformed from an awkward high school sophomore into a worldly college freshman. Because I was tall, and always looked older (which is thrilling now), he took me to fraternity parties, football games, and even bars.

The drinking age in Wisconsin was eighteen, and all I had to do back then was to say that my birthday was three years earlier. Once he even tracked me down when I naively left one party to go to another with someone that I had just met. Fortunately, he and his girlfriend split up and knocked on doors until they found me.    

Later that year, a high school senior befriended me, because she was interested in attending the same university. She wanted to visit the campus, and knew that my brother was well-connected there. After we arrived, she started acting like she owned the joint, and my brother quickly put her in her place. He said, "This is my room, and my sister is in charge here. You are her guest, and what she says goes." Those were very powerful words at the time. Come to think of it, they would still be powerful today.

Last weekend my older son began his fall break from law school. Instead of coming straight home, his friends picked him up from the airport and they drove to spend the weekend with his little brother.  My younger son acted as tour guide of his college campus, and the young men happily complied. They cheered on his football team to victory, and even played football afterward. 

No college visit would be complete without bar and party hopping, but of course I was not privy to any details. It did give me peace of mind that my older son was travelling with his two close friends, and one of them happened to be in medical school. I tried to warn them about his rundown house, and asked him to bring his medical bag just in case. I also suggested that they all be up-to-date with their shots. He assured me that he was bringing masks, gloves, and a hazmat suit. 

When my older son returned home, he said that they had a great time. Later that night, my younger son told me how his big brother always treated for meals, and even took care of the cab fare. He was sad that he had to leave. Although when my husband and I offered to visit, he said that he would get back to us.


35 comments:

  1. You raised them well!
    Even if your one son's house is destined to be condemned.

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  2. Thanks Alex, and I'm counting the days until he's out of there!

    Arleen - I couldn't agree more!
    Julie

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  3. Aw, that's great that your sons get along and take care of each other. I never really had a close relationship with any of my siblings. There was always too much rivalry. Still is. You obviously used your mom superpowers for the side of Good. :))

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  4. Julie, that is so great that your sons get along so well.

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  5. Thanks L.G., but I have to give a lot of the credit to them. Though I do like the thought of having "mom superpowers!"

    Susanne - I'm so happy that they can count on each other! Thanks Susanne!
    Julie

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  6. I have a big brother too and he calls me "Beta" which means a small child I feel as if I am really loved :)

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  7. Oh, how wonderful to have an older brother like that! My heart is warmed.

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  8. Youmna - Sounds like you are very lucky to have each other! It's cute that he calls you "Beta!"

    Thanks so much Talli!

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  9. That's cute. "I'll get back to you." My sister and I went to the same college. Did not get along until we started school together, then we were inseparable.

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  10. Aww, it's great that your sons get along so well. I've always been close with my sisters so I can relate. :)

    Loved the "I'll get back with you" ending LOL.

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  11. haha i bet he does get back to you ;)--always nice to see our kids bonding :)

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  12. I reckon that you and your husband will soon be invited. Then again.....:)

    What an upbeat and positive story. Thank you.

    Gary

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  13. I have a hazmat suit for doing my son's laundry :) I love how my kids enjoy each other's company when they're on their own. My college daughter just invited my high school son up to spend a weekend with her in the winter when he has a day off, and they're all excited and planning (probably because I have nothing to do with it :))

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    1. Good idea for laundry! I normally just hold my breath and use large tongs! I'm sure your daughter will show your son a great time! Isn't it nice that they'll do the planning? Thanks Susanna!

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  14. Libby - Isn't it funny how things work out that way? Thanks Libby!

    Julie - Glad you and your sisters are so close! Thanks Julie

    Lynn - We have such a small family, and I have a feeling that they'll always be close. Fingers crossed! Thanks Lynn!

    Gary - I think he's waiting for a better offer! Thanks Gary!

    Carol - I'm glad he came prepared! Thanks Carol!
    Julie


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  15. What your brother said was much more forceful than that and really put me in my place. While I didn't like it the guy was hot!

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    1. And he still is! I've always respected your taste in men! Thanks Eydie!

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  16. Little brothers are great, too.

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

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  17. My sons are est friends with each other. It is like a club and very difficult to enter. It is good to hear about your sons. YvonneS

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  18. What a heartwarming story! I hope my girls' grow up to treasure their relationship. My own with my sister was difficult at best.

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  19. Shelly - You're absolutely right, and the same is true for little sisters! Thanks Shelly!

    Yvonne - What a great club to be in! Hopefully, they'll include you now and then. Thanks Yvonne!

    Rose - Sorry that you were not close with your sister, but you can keep encouraging your daughters to take a different path. Thanks Rose!

    Julie

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  20. I know exactly how you feel. It always makes me warmly satisfied when my two are in touch with each other.

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  21. Hi Julie .. love the story - but just so chuckly .. when youngest said "I'll get back to you " ... still basking in Eldest glory by the sound of it .. fun isn't it ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  22. I'm still glad that my younger son was such a good host, and showed his big brother and friends a great time. They both looked out for each other, but it was funny that sad as he was, he wasn't in a rush to see his parents! Thanks Hilary, and I'm also glad you never gave up when your comments weren't going through here! Julie

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  23. Hi Julie .. pleasure - they just suddenly started working - well the Comment As bit opened up ... but it still doesn't work for all blogger blogs ...

    Loyalty just hangs around waiting its time to join in again .. so glad blogger seems to be better ..

    Have a great rest of the weekend .. Hilary

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  24. Sigh!! Those good old college years! My husband and I took our two-year-old to my old college's football game this last Saturday. Her first football game. She loved it, especially the mascot: Gus the Gorilla. Sadly, we lost worse than we'd ever lost before. But it was still fun to attend!

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  25. Our children think we don't know anything...but we were also the ones at a party long ago.

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  27. Linda - Glad you had fun at your daughter's first college football game! It's a shame that your team lost. Thanks Linda!

    Susan - I think sometimes it's better for them not to envision us that way; though many parents want their kids to think of them as "the life of the party." On the other hand, it's always nice to know they can come to us for advice on any subject. Thanks Susan!
    Julie

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  28. I think it's heart-warming for a mother when her sons get along. You must be so proud of them. There's nothing better than sibling bonding sessions.
    In my family, we are four daughters, the two older girls are very close and my younger sister and I are close.

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    1. It must have been fun growing up with three sisters! Though we don't always see eye-to-eye, it is reassuring that my boys have such a nice relationship. Thanks Michelle! Julie

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