Brothers

You ever notice how some people don't shut up? My brother pissed me off about an hour ago. I ask him for one simple favor, and I'm willing to pay him for it. He says 'No.' I say, 'That's cool.' Then he proceeds to list the reasons for his decision!

Why do people do that? I'm cool with you saying no. You don't have to prove anything to me about your choice. It's your choice. I'm an adult and understand I'm not going to always get what I want. The only reason I can think of for him spouting out reasons is that he feels bad about telling his little brother no.

My brother has forever shaped my life. Some for good and some for bad. I like to think mostly good, but there was one bad time that until now I blamed myself for, when ultimately it was a lack of communication on every family member's part, myself included.

Of course, the time I speak of was what instilled in me a fear of success. I was able to out-do my brother at college level work and thought for almost 20 years that I was the reason he dropped out of college. Due to my success, he failed. It wasn't like that at all. No, I'm 29 and have to face those demons as an adult, and it's hard!