I don t believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers It makes them siblings gives them mutuality of parentage Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at

Our siblings push buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago - the baby the peacekeeper the caretaker the avoider It doesn t seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we ve traveled

As the only girl growing up among three brothers I was always afraid of being excluded If there was a game to be played a sport to be learned a competition to join I was on my feet and ready I didn t spend much time alone for fear that I d miss out

To the outside world we all grow old But not to brothers and sisters We know each other as we always were We know each other s hearts We share private family jokes We remember family feuds and secrets family griefs and joys We live outside the touch of time

Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and can be of service to him And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side and who would say nothing behind his back he might not in love say before his face