Brothers and Sister

Tonight I had a very unique experience. Dr. Bean claims we will carry it with us for the rest of our lives. Thanks to him, for he gave us the opportunity to have this experience. Tonight I came to KNOW that family is indeed the best gift God has given to us. As I was sharing my thoughts about tonight with a friend, she so wisely suggested that I write them down so I can remember them for always and forever. I figured I would share it with the world so the whole world could catch a piece of the peace and love that has been planted in me tonight.
Last week I received a phone call from my brother's therapist inviting me to his session. I took an hour and a half off of work tonight to go meet with my bros and Dr. Bean. I was rushed, late, and not really excited to go. Little did I know that the next 45min would literally change my paradigm. We spent most of the time discussing JJ and the predicament that he is currently facing; however, the most powerful thing happened at the end when Dr. Bean asked Coleman and me to give JJ a gift before he heads back to Reno. A gift that he can use to give him strength and get through the rough times. I decided to go first, since Coleman had a panicked look on his face ;-). I told JJ that my gift is the gift of love. Though I have played role of mother now-and-again over the years, I can never replace Mother (and don't want to!), yet, I told JJ that I can still love him as such. When he needs a hug, I can give it to him. When he needs the words of encouragement, I can do that. I told him I don't always agree with what he does or says, but I love him all the same. Unconditionally, I love my brother (well, both of them, but this was about JJ). We sat there, all three of us crying our eyes out. I kept telling JJ that I am a support that he can call and text and email anytime about anything and I will be there. I told him that even though I won't be right next to him, I can try with all my might to hug him through the phone. My gift is the gift of love.
Coleman explained to JJ that he wants to be JJ's best friend as his older brother. He feels ashamed that he doesn't know all that's going on in JJ's life. He wishes that he could provide more than he can right now at this point, but that he will always give JJ his best. Coleman also expressed to JJ that he too will always be there for him: by phone, email, text, whatever. Coleman's gift, I would say, is friendship, but more than that, he too gives JJ the gift of unconditional love.
After Cole and I gave our little didies (is that a word?), Dr. Bean, who was also crying and asking for kleenex, told us that when we hurt, or feel lost and lonely, we need to remember that each of us have the same pain and understand more than anybody else, where we stand. He said that we will hold this moment close to us always. I agree. He also said that when we are down and in the pits, it's an invitation. An invitation? Exactly!! It's an invitation to let other people show their love for us. What an amazing breakthrough this was for me. When I hurt, I have people in my life who want to love me and help. My family understands my pain (and in return happiness) better than anybody else.
I love my brothers. I love my sisters. I love my parents. My brothers and I have been through a lot through out the years. Happy, sad, fun, boring, obnoxious, and down right dumb. They will love me, as I will love them, no MATTER what happens. My sisters are a lot younger than we are. It's as if they're growing up in a different family than we are cuz dynamics are different now, but they're still family. We love them unconditionally. We have so much to offer them, as they continually teach us day in and day out.
The rents. They have helped mold us into the people we are today and are developing into. Times have been really hard. Times have been so amazing. They have done everything that they know how. They love unconditionally, though maybe not in a way that we understand at times, but unconditionally none-the-less. They were the building blocks of our foundation. We love them and they love us.
My hubby (hey, he's family now!). We have good times, we have bad times. In the end, we are sealed to each other through celestial bonds. We chose this route because we have unconditional love.
If all of us could remember the simplicity of it all, life could be more enjoyable and less painful. We live, we learn, but most importantly, we love!