family ties

One thing about having not so good things happen in your life, is that sometimes it brings people together.
My brother and I have never really been that close. Sometimes we go almost 6 months without even speaking. We are totally different, black vs. white, and often do not see eye to eye.
However, with Dad soon to go under the knife, we seem to feel the need to be closer. I have phoned him several times in the last week or so, and finally got ahold of him. We talked about Dad and his upcoming predicament. I told him what I thought, he said he agreed. He said he should come home, I said I agreed. He said he trusted and respected the decisions I had made so far with Dad. I just about fell off my chair!
Today, I phoned him again. I told him we had a lay over in Vancouver on the way to Maui and asked if he wanted to have "lupper". He said he did. He actually sounded like he was looking forward to it when we hung up.
This year has taught me a lot. About perserverence, about patience, about patients, about me. Most of all, though, it has taught me about what is really important in life - family. They love you unconditionally, no matter what.
Sort of like my cats ;) , and they are family too.