That was then (2007).

This is now (2009).

Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring – quite often the hard way.  ~Pamela Dugdale

My youngest brother turns 40 today, and we have certainly taught one another many things over the years – quite often the hard way.

After squeaking through high school, my brother worked for several years and eventually put himself through college. He studied and passed the CPA exam, a remarkable feat to his math-phobic sister. Over the years, his life has experienced several twists, turns, and even detours. Yet, he always manages to find his way back to center (sometimes more, sometimes less). While we live thousands of miles apart, it is a joy to watch the man and father he’s become.

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

What thoughts/observations can you share about your Wise Siblings?

P.S. Happy 40th Birthday, Rob!