Relationship Reflection

The relationships I have in my life are important to me.  They have contributed to the person I am today.  I have 5 siblings.  I value the relationship I have with each one of them.  Our father became ill 3 weeks ago and is in the hospital.  The positive relationship my siblings and I have has been beneficial during this time.  We have all been able to come together and take on the responsibility of caring for our dad.  I am the youngest.  My oldest sister and I are his financial caretakers.  She and I have similar fiscal ideas.  My other sister is a great communicator.  She has been extremely helpful communicating with my dad's insurance company, doctors, and medicare.  My three brothers have stepped up also.  They are in constant contact with the nurses and doctors as well as taking care of my father's physical needs (bathing, shaving, etc...).  We all have maintained constant contact with one another even before our father became ill.  We never really email to communicate.  We still call each other and have long chats about current situations and things we remember growing up.  One reason why we all get along so well is because of our mothers.  My older four siblings are by my father's first wife.  My mother, father, and his first wife always made it clear that even though we have different mothers' we still need to respect them, their house rules, and get along because at the end of the day the kids are siblings and we are going to need to each in the future.   All my life, I remember hearing this message and that positive message still resonates with all of us today.  Even though everything is not always perfect in a blended family, if the parents can put their differences aside for the children, it will benefit the children and the adults they will become in the long run.