He ain't heavy, he's my brother

I have two brothers, both slightly older than me. They're different. One is quiet, serious, and has very few friends. The other is gregarious and meets a new friend every day. They're both handsome, tall, and brilliant.

Spending time in their company is always a treat. I especially like to be in the room for the rare times when they're together and listening to them talk. It reminds me of being a kid and how much I looked up to them.

I don't actually have a brother. I wonder how different family life would be if I did? Just my dad, my mother, my sister & me. I've often felt like a sort of surrogate son that my dad always wanted. (being by far the least girlie of the 3 women in the family.)

I have three. The oldest broke my heart and I refuse to have anything to do with him. My middle brother passed away almost two years ago now from lung cancer. He and I were the most connected. My youngest brother and I are close emotionally but weeks go by and we don't talk. Hopefully we'll do better in the future. I am the youngest and the only girl. It had/has it's plusses and it's minuses.

my brother is 20 and has a mild form of schitzophrenia.

Or so we think.

He wont stay with a doctor long enough to get a definate diagnosis, nor will he stay on meds long enough to see a difference.
He claims to be scared of peoples faces.
He thinks the FBI wants him for what he knows.
He thinks the neighbors talk about him

He lives in fear and depression that are not of his doing.

He is too skinny to be heavy..

I can't imagine not having a literal brother. Like mac, I had a great brother (though only one).

I was lucky enough to have the big brother from all the story books - the gentle giant, the thoughful monster.

He's not in any way a real monster - he's just BIG. I think he hit six feet by the sixth grade and people have always been a little intimidated by him -- which was really kind of great for a twerpy kid like me.

The fact that he is a General in the army and holds several advanced degrees is great for a twerpy adult like me too.

The fact that he is as funny as anyone you will ever see doing stand up comedy and that he loves with all his heart is great for all of us.

But this thread doesn't have to be about literal brothers - it can be about metaphorical brothers too.

The "brother" that inspired it is certainly not my sibling.

eoe and shewolf, you must have been posting when I was thinking.

Both of those stories are... are... are.... heavy and hard to carry.

I was going to post about how my older brother used to hold me down and fart on my head, but I don't think that it is very appropriate, do you?

Maybe some other time.

Sh!t--that was really maudlin. Sorry. He's just a great guy who I will miss very much.

It's okay. Very much so.

It wasn't maudlin at all, Diane, just telling the situation as it has been. Absolutely no need to apologize. It can't have been at all easy.

It wasn't maudlin at all, Diane, just telling the situation as it has been. Absolutely no need to apologize. It can't have been at all easy.

Wow, Diane.

Yeah, okay, it was maudlin but man o man what an inspiration. What an amazing story. I'm still a little speechless.

Thank you.

Oops! Double post with no X box to delete the last one. Sorry.

Stop it, Diane. Don't you dare apologize for that.


(((((HUGS)))))

When I was 14, my family (me included) visited London. While hopping on the subway, a young man getting off told my mother that I was heavy. By the way he said it, I knew that it must have been a good thing, but I really did know for sure.

Now, when we have family outings, I think everyone assumes that my brother and I are a couple. Everyone else, except for the tiny tots, are paired.

So, Boomer, your thought makes PERFECT sense to me!

Geez, I just read up on this thread........ WOW.

Boomer,

I have two brothers. Both are what I like to call nut cases. lol

The older one, he's bi-polar.
Went into the Air Force straight out of High School, a few years later, he was sent to England. While there, he met/married another civilian from the states..and some drama took place, and he was discharged.
He's been married three times. Has a daughter from the first marriage that just turned 16, and he hasn't seen her in 10 years.
He's almost 40 and has resorted to living at home with my parents.
He's in college right now, working on a degree in Computer Science.
He won't hold a job, he can't seem to juggle both school and a career
He will not stay on his medication...the moment he begins to feel better, he stops the meds. Then we are back to square one with him.
He's annoying as hell to be around.
Always coming up with a new quirk...
I don't talk to him unless I have to. Thats Christmas...lol, and maybe Thanksgiving.

The really sad part about all of his problems, are some are genetic..but some of the others probably stem from the fact that he is literally a genius. The man can do anything he sets his mind to. Brilliant, when he's in the mood.. But he's never been challenged. And to lazy to challenge himself.

The younger brother is 33 and has never been married.
He's as sneaky as they get. And...he lives in my parents front yard.
As far as he goes, I couldn't tell you anything else.
He's one of them that would meet you on the street and never act like he knows who you are.
So..I just do him the same way. I have nothing to do with him either.

Now...if/ when you get ready to talk about sisters...HA, I got one for ya..lol, matter of fact, you can have her!

That's good to know--your first post was, like, heartbreaking. I don't know what I'd do without my sisters.