“Sibling relationships – and 80 percent of Americans have at least one – outlast marriages, survive the death of parents, resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship.  They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust.”

 – Erica E. Goode, “The Secret World of Siblings,” U.S. News & World Report, 10 January 1994

It amazes me how sibling relationships can withstand anything thrown at them. My brother and I have been through hell and back. This quote pretty much spells it all out: Survived the death of a parent, resurfaced after quarrels that would sink any friendship, closeness and distance, loyalty and distrust. But, through it all, we have always remained close. I love him more than anyone in this world other than my mother.

I’m going to use this post today to share how PROUD I am of him right now. He sounds awesome and exudes strength and confidence in his voice like I’ve never heard from him before. My dad would be SO proud of him and I can’t wait to hug his neck again! I always knew he had it in him, he just didn’t know he did. I truly believe in him!

Don’t give up on anyone! You can practice tough love, sometimes that is what we need, but don’t give up. Everyone is capable of greatness, they just have to find it in themselves first and truly believe it before anyone else can. Your siblings are your forever friends.