My baby sister has been going through a rough spell lately, and its hard to see her suffer. I don’t know if its part of who I am or part of being an older brother but its hard to see her suffer and struggle and not want to swoop in and do everything in my power to help make things better for her. I fear that is a fault I do with all the people I’m close to, no just family but friends and people I care deeply enough for as to be considered family to me. I forget that people come to conclusions on their own and instead of me trying to save the day.. sometimes all that is needed is merely to listen. Now I try to be as supportive as I can but in the rush to help make things better instead of really listening to what people are saying i merely hear the words waiting for a pause so that I can interject my own musings on the situation. That’s a tough line to walk.. to help when needed, to be there to listen always and sometimes to be silent when you see the storm on the horizon. As I get older and experience more and as I become more aware of the person I am and the personality that I possess it has become easier to find my balance on that tight rope. My first instinct will probably always be to rush to help and save the day but it is becoming easier to force myself to be still, to be silent and to just be there. My heart still breaks when I see the tears or think about the pain the people I care the most for go through, but it strengthens my resolve to make sure that I am always there ready, willing and able to listen first, to support and to make sure at every possible opportunity that I let those people know just how special they are to me, how much they mean to me, how much I’ve learned from them and how honored I am to have them stand beside me.
“Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted.” – Paul Pearshall