Family Matters,  Moody Blues,  spilling my guts

Sister Forever Friend

sister necklace

I had a crappy weekend this last weekend. I felt like I had no friends in the world which is the absolute stupidest thing ever because I have a lot of friends. I have all you guys. I have really good friends that I’ve spent years making. I have friends who will let me stay at their houses at the drop of a hat and have me over for coffee, who will take my kid for a sleepover without asking any questions. I have really really good friends who love me. So why was I feeling like a sad sack of pathetic?

You know how it is when you have drama in your life and you just feel like there’s nobody you can share it with because they’ve all heard it all already and they’re waiting for you to wake up and smell the coffee already? You don’t know who to turn to because it’s impossible to catch everyone up on the minute details that make you tick the way you tick and you’re just exhausted already trying to explain it? You know that feeling?

So I sat in my car for four hours not knowing where to go or who to call or what to do. I prayed to God to send me somebody to make the sadness go away but nobody came. That wasn’t what God wanted for me obviously. There I was waiting in my car for some miracle to happen, some magical mystical adventure to unfold and there was nothing. Just quiet and netflicks on my iphone which is actually pretty cool. But still I felt pathetic.

Somehow I got through it and the weekend went by. Weekends are always hard for me as you probably know due to my pending divorce and shared custody with someone who has always been a huge part of my life. Someone who is also a good friend which makes it even harder sometimes.

We came home and there was a package in my mailbox. A package with no return name, a familiar address in somewhat familiar handwriting.

my new necklace

Inside was a necklace from my brother. My brother. My brother doesn’t send me packages. It was really weird.

I don’t talk about my brother much outside of being annoyed at him from time to time when he comes to visit and messes up my house. And there’s the fact that he’s the father of my two nieces who I love to pieces and the husband of my dear sister-in-law. We have our moments but we kind of just take each other for granted. We don’t talk all that much. Not because we don’t love each other but because we don’t really have that much in common. He’s a mechanic. He listens to country music and likes to drive big red trucks. You know how it is. We just don’t really get each other.

Except that we do. We get each other on a deeper unspoken level. Not like twin-speak or anything but I just don’t really have to tell him much for him to understand what I’m going through. I don’t know if that’s why he bought me this necklace. I was all worried that he spent a fortune that he doesn’t have on it but he told me it only cost him fifteen bucks and he was just thinking of me.

from my brother

So I’m wearing it every day.

It says “Sisters are forever friends” on it which kind of cracks me up because I don’t have a sister. I have a brother.

And he is my forever friend.

40 Comments

  • Claire

    Oh gosh – I have one of those brothers too. This got me teary at work! Hang in there. There’s a sisterhood of sad sacks watching TV episodes on their phones all across the country. :)

  • Jackie ritchie

    I apologize in advance because I really don’t mean to intrude or offend! I think God could certainly send someone to temporarily make your sadness go away but God isn’t into the short term solution. In the long term if you seek a closer relationship with Him you will never feel alone, never be without help, never be weak in your own weakness but instead you can be strong in His strength. And these are just a few of His promises for those that love Him! And the only way to truly find God is through His Son. Again I don’t mean any offense Im just talking about what I know from a personal experience with God.

  • JennyC

    That is so sweet ;) You have me tearing up over here! What a great brother. I could totally see my sister and I sharing something like this. My brother, not so much … we used to be close but life & time changes things I guess. Wear it and enjoy it with pride for your forever friend :)

  • Brooke

    Beyond special. I have three brothers and no sisters and I understand what you mean about taking each other for granted, but being there on a deeper level when it’s needed. The Lord sends us hugs in so many special ways, doesn’t He?

  • Angela

    From one single mom to another, trust me, we have all been there at some point or another. Sat in the car with an empty weekend ahead, and a bundle of friends at home with their families who would take us in at the drop of a hat, but somehow we just never make that call.
    As hard as it may seem right now, it does get easier.

  • Mrs. Wilson

    That is SO AWESOME. I’m so glad God put it in your brother’s mind to send that to you!!

    I’m so sorry you’re struggling. Having gone through a brief (8-month) separation myself, I know the feeling of feeling like you don’t have a friend in the world or a single person who would understand what you’re going through. It sucks. But it’s also not true. :)

    Email me any time, if you’d like. I pray for you every time I think of you.

    xo

  • Linda

    Thinking of you and know that what seems impossible in years to come will just be another piece of teh puzzle that makes your life. God loves you and will always be there when you need to talk.

  • Susan:)

    I feel the same way, and often on the weekend. Hey, I live in San Diego, you can always come hang out with me if you want! I would love to meet you! At any rate, I don’t have the same situation as you, but I moved away from my home and all my friends and I’ve lived here for two and a half years and still haven’t really made any friends and I am often lonely. I live with my sister and take care of her kids and I love them all. But I can’t always be with them! Weekends is when they have family time, and I am on my own. And while I enjoy alone time, I miss having friends to do things with, or just to talk to.

  • Clownfish

    Wow! Timing is everything and boy did he nail it. Way to go bro! side note: Just think, only 5 hours and you could have been with us :) Hope you are well my friend.

  • Kindra

    Awwww man you got me all teared up… Think I will give my brother a call :-) Hang in there!!!

  • Cathy

    I have a similar relationship with my brother. His timing was great. What I want to know is how you sat in the car for four hours without having to pee. ;-)

  • Madge

    I know we’ve talked about our relationships with our bros before. How sweet that was for your brother to send you that. If you ever need to talk, I’m just a message, phone call, email away, anytime. I’m sorry that you felt the way you did over the weekend. :(

  • OMSH

    That is probably the single sweetest gift/thing I’ve heard about in a long time. You are surrounded by people who love you Brenda. And not just in words, but in deed. Your life is rich; complicated, yes…but oh so rich.

  • cc

    I’m pretty sure he read it this way, as his sister he would always be your friend. Which makes sense.

    It is so unlike him to pick something up and say I think we should get this for so-and-so that when he does I don’t question it.

    I’m glad you like it.

  • Kuky

    How thoughtful. It’s so nice to get such an unexpected gift especially after a trying weekend. You can always talk to me if you want. Or send an email. When I was feeling down Bethany told me to write her to vent. It helped so much just writing it down.

  • BeachMama

    That is the best post EVER!!!

    First I am all bummed because I live so far away and you can’t come and hang with me on weekends instead of sitting in your car and watching Netflix, so I am already wishing we were closer in geography.

    Then I am seeing this beautiful necklace and wondering what awesome blogger, thought of you and sent it your way…

    … then I am in tears because it was your Brother! He just knew when you needed a little piece of him and see, God does answer prayers, just not the way we expect sometimes.

    xoxo

  • Katie

    OH MY goodness I’m glad I’m not the only one crying. *HUGS* I know the alone feeling well.. It sucks and it’s hard when you feel that way. But just remember every second of every day that many many many people you don’t know love you because you are amazing. :)

    and we all wish you lived right next door to us because of that.

  • Bethany

    Love, love, love that picture of you. You’re so naturally pretty…no makeup or airbrushing needed here! (Lucky!)

  • Anna

    Awww, so sweet. And nOw that I also read your latest post aww again. I am glad things are falling into place with your Toby relationship. I feel so out of the loop, I haven’t read blogs in forever!! I miss you!

  • mimi

    Such a sweet act from a brother! I am catching up on blogs I enjoy and yours always delivers! Thank you. I just really like your voice, your style, and how you are making the best of a difficult situation. Keep on keeping on, there are sweet surprises for you in store!