Reconciliation

~ Tara R.

With all my nostalgia over childhood July 4th celebrations, I got homesick for Tennessee. I’m headed back this weekend for our family reunion, an annual tradition of more than 80 years.

Apparently, so may my estranged brother ~ my only sibling. Someone who I’ve gone years without speaking to or seeing. Over the last several months we’ve attempted to mend our tenuous relationship via emails.

There is resistance on my part because I don’t want to be hurt again. I worry there is resistance on his part because whatever his issue was, he won’t address it. I’m hoping for a reconciliation.

The 100 Word Challenge, a writing prompt created by Velvet Verbosity, takes a single theme to tell a story in only 100 words ~ no more, no less. This week’s theme is ‘Resistance.’

23 thoughts on “Reconciliation”

  1. Family…. its amazing how much we go through with them just cause we have blood in common. I hope all goes well, I’ve always wanted a family that was close so that we’d have reunions & such but we’ve never been that way & my immediate family is very small yet one member puts me through a lot & I could use some space from them:-)

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  3. I’m excited and a little nervous for you!

    Mostly, I admire you very, very much for this. My Mom and her sister (her former best friend) have been completely estranged for many years now and my Mom won’t budge though my Aunt has tried really hard. I usually have a lot of respect for my Mom, but I think she’s really selfish in this case. Not saying either you or your brother are selfish; you’ve made attempts at contact – that is brave. I’m just incredibly disappointed in my own Mom and wish she had a fraction of your courage and selflessness.

    Can’t wait to hear all about it!!

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    1. Jen,

      If we are both there, I will be very nervous too. I never wanted this breach between us, I simply couldn’t handle the animosity we had for each other. It wasn’t healthy for either of us. And… we were both selfish in our own ways.

      I’m encouraged by how well we’ve gotten along these last few months. Hopefully, it will continue.

      Thanks for all your support,

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  6. same here Tara

    I’m estranged from my sister. whose fault it is doesnt matter. what matters is we’re both old enough to know better and be better but we’re not.

    It took me all day to comment this because it made me almost call my sister. thanks…i think

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    1. Thanks Lance,
      The thing with us, is that I really don’t know what it was that came between us. We were never close, even as little kids. But, he was just always so angry and hostile. Even when I asked, he would say nothing was wrong. I wasn’t blameless. I was defensive and combative. The relationship was toxic for both of us.

      We’ve both gone through a lot of drama in the last few years, and I often wished I could have called him for support or to support him, we simply couldn’t/wouldn’t take that step. I’m hoping we can get past that now and start fresh.

      Good luck with your sister too. Maybe you should call her. Can it get any worse if you do?

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  7. It has taken me nearly eleven years to get back on somewhat less than shaky ground with one of my siblings. It is never easy, is it?

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  8. True story? I can relate. My relationship with my older brother (and only sibling) was non-existent until about 15 years ago. He would never have reinstated it. So I called and told him I was going to be in the area (true) and was coming for a weekend visit. I did that several times until finally he got used to me again. I see him and his wife once a year now. We’ve never discussed the estrangement, and never will. We just picked up in the present. The new relationship works. I’m just sorry that we lost so many years (about 25).

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    1. Patti,
      It’s probably been close to five years since I’ve last seen my brother, and the only reason then was because our dad was having open heart surgery. We got to where we couldn’t stand to be around each other. Last Feb. our mom asked us to try again as a Valentine’s gift to her. I agreed, but said he had to make the first step because I didn’t want to be hurt again. In Oct. he emailed me on my birthday. We’ve exchanged a few letter since, and agreed to forget the past and begin again as adults. It is still strained, but we have managed to be kind to each other. If he also comes to the reunion, it will be the first time together since our dad’s surgery. I am very apprehensive about a possible meeting. I’m sorry he and I have lost so many years too.

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      1. Tara, I wish you the best of luck for a successful reunion, in every way. I suspect it’ll be fine if you both stay in the present and enjoy the family and each other.

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