Aside from the squabbling, fights, competition, and sibling rivalry, a brother is a person who is there when you need him, someone who picks you up when you fall, a person who sticks up for you when no one else will. A brother is always a friend.
Jeff and Ted
Sibling Rivalry…according to the Life Course Institute of Adlerian Psychology, psychologist Alfred Adler had a problem with his older brother Sigmund. “Adler believed that his older brother over-shadowed him.” “And he resented his favored status in the family (Hoffman, 1944, p.11).” However, in later years his older brother, Sigmund, helped him financially. “This support prompted the world-famous, middle-aged Alfred Adler to refer to his older brother as ‘a good industrious fellow (who) was always ahead of me –is still ahead of me’ (Bottome, 1957, p.27).”
Well-known…brothers who achieved greatness had their share of sibling rivalry, character differences, birth order issues, and tragedy. Take the Kennedy brothers, Carter brothers, Everly brothers, and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Fogerty brothers.
Ordinary…brothers, not well known, also had their share of whatever goes with birth order and sibling rivalry, and still achieved personal, family and neighborly greatness. Take the Robinson brothers for instance.
The Robinson brothers…according to the mother’s account, Theodore Arthur III, and Jeffrey James, sixteen-months apart, were well-behaved, dressed alike handsome boys, who grew up, squabbled, fought, and competed in sports, like most brothers. Yes, there was sibling rivalry, until they set the record straight as fraternity brothers at “Go Cougs” Washington State U. Mum’s the word on that story, and not going there with complexities of birth order and favoritism. Even though back in 1944, Alfred Adler personally spouted off about it, researched it, and was characterized as the forerunner of humanistic psychology.
Today…the middle-aged brothers are bright as the moon…and their hearts shine with the light of a million heavenly stars. Move over brightest star! They are “buddies,” best friends (for years), successful in business and life. They live within thirty minutes of one another in Washington, the Evergreen State. In the combined families, there are five beautiful, career-minded daughters, ages 17-30, two incredible sons-in-law, six smart dogs, and two outstanding, talented wives. What more could they ask for! For that matter, what more could the (writer) mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother ask for! Nothing! Well… maybe one thing… In her imaginary neighborhood, she lives closer than a 1,270-mile road trip. She’s proud of the Robinson brothers, and their loving families…the whole kit and caboodle.
If you have a brother somewhere in the world, call him & tell him, “I love you, man.”
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.– St. Francis of Assisi
Before Sundown 
What a lovely tribute to your sons. So true not only of brothers but of all siblings. Think I’ll give my sister a call right now. Thank you for brightening my day with your wonderful insights and your ability to put your heart into words.
Melodie Lohr
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Thanks so much Melodie (BFF)! Yep, it all goes for sisters too! Or for anyone who is as close as a brother or sister! Make it known how much they mean to you! Love & Hugs 💛
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What a lovely tribute to your sons. So true not only of brothers but of all siblings. Think I’ll give my sister a call right now. Thank you for brightening my day with your wonderful insights and your ability to put your heart into words.
Volcano Woman
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💛💛💛
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Such a sweet message. And you have a beautiful family, the light in their eyes comes through in those photos. Lovely post, E. I’ve missed you. ❤️ 💛 💙 💜
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Thanks so much, Van! Happy you stopped by and commented. You know how important family is! I’m for any way we can show that. Their sunset is the September featured blog header on the Welcome Page. There’s a blurb about Puget Sound too where their sunsets were taken. I’ve been working on book writing, and doing research on grandfather, Gustav F. Heim, a famous musician back in the 1900s. In contact with cousins that I’ve not seen or herd from since we were kids. Exciting times! 💛Elizabeth
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Happy for you, keep it all going, Elizabeth. 💘 I was thinking about you, and how you have taken to using your different names on this blog. I posted my real name for the first time. Wanted to share. https://vanbytheriver.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/dorothy/
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Thanks for the share! Loved your name revealed post. Made a comment! 💛 E
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Absolutely charming. Thanks for sharing along with all the lovely photos. Huge hugs.
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Teagan, happy you liked the post! Thanks so much for your comment! Huge hugs back! 💛 Elizabeth
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Nice tribute, Elizabeth, The boys are so cute in those early photos 🙂
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Thanks Dan! What can a mother say, yep, they were cuties! Love looking at those early photos and remembering when! (sigh) 💛 Elizabeth
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Nothing wrong with a proud mom 🙂
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So lovely❤️
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Jodi, thanks so much for stopping by. Happy you liked the post! 💛
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It’s a beautiful story
Unfortunately it doesn’t always work
My brother has a heart of stone
When one of his sons got married
I was introduced to his wife parents
They said they didn’t even know he had a brother
I know how life should work
With happy endings
But this story isn’t one of them
As always Sheldon
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Sheldon, unfortunately, you are so right! So sad! All brother stories do not have happy endings. Hopefully, there is a “like a brother” friend that can stand in for the “heart of stone” brother. Thank you for your visit and comment. Always nice to see you here! 💛 Elizabeth
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It was a lovely story
I just got swept up
As always Sheldon
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Understand completely, Sheldon! 💛E
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You do a great job organizing these posts. Not only does it make us feel like we know your family, it reminds us not to forget our own. Thank you so much for sharing.
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Thanks so much Dr. J. Happy you liked the post and got the theme! Remember everyone in your family. Families are important! 💛 Christine
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Beautiful & moving post!…. thanks for sharing these pics… andf your light! Love., Aquileana 😀
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Thank you for your visit and comment, Aquileana! Happy you liked the family post! Family is Forever! 💛 Christine
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Such a beautiful family!! You must be very proud of them all 😀 😀 Lovely pictures, they all look bright and beaming. And loved the insight on your sons, sibling relation is truly an incredible magic 🙂
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Mithai, thank you for your kind comment. I so agree, sibling relations are incredible magic. Sisters and brothers alike! 💛 Christine
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No living brother, but a sister. We’re closer now, though we’re oceans apart…I am jealous of your close-knit family.
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Sorry! Oceans apart? Meaning in another part of the world? Hopefully you get to see your sister a few times a year. Mine lives on the (US)east coast, I’m on the west coast. I visit her once a year, and we talk & text frequently. So important to keep in touch. 💛 Christine
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He he…She’s just in the Philippines, too. But we’re oceans (or maybe just ocean, I could be exaggerating…). We just saw each other a few times this last few years. In 2012, she went home twice as our parents passed away May and July. In January 2015, I got married, so she was back, being my only real family left. Then last August, she had to have her eyes checked for possible operations, but the news weren’t good at all…You can imagine how lonely we are, not having each other physically around for support, although we do get in touch through texts and the occasional calls…
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I don’t know how I missed this one, Christine. Brothers are the best!
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Diana, thanks so much for visiting and making a comment. Watching those two brothers interact warms my heart! I have a sister and sisters are the best too! 💛 Christine
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