I have experienced my FIRST EVER family conflict with one of my brothers last summer. We have not spoken since then, but Saturday after my efforts for him to contact me seemed futile...he called. My phone was not on but the next morning I got the message and was very much surprised. Turns out he called one day before our Dad's birthday. My dad would be 77 today and in honor of my Father's life and him creating us both...I will call him and fix this bullshit!

I love you Dad...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

DexMSR said:

Nice one mate, all the best and it shows great honour to your dad that you guys are doing this

That's really groovy!

Good luck to you, we are 4 kids (3 daughters, 1 son) after our parents passed on, our brother decided he really did not have much use for his sisters and moved away, became withdrawn from us. He basically gave us the boot, one day out of the blue he started showing up for kids birthdays, holidays, etc. and we let him in no questions asked. I say open the door let him come in, enjoy.

Do that!!

Happy Birthday to dad!!!!

DexMSR said:

That is awesome! I hope that all works out. I wish I could do the same with my sister, but she just won't talk.

Happy birthday to your Dad!!!!

If my dad was still alive he'd be happy that my sister and I get along a lot better these days.

as it should be...

Beautiful

We spoke on the phone for an hour...aired our differences and came to a common ground and got back on track again!!! Whew...It feels good to have him back!!

DexMSR said:

That's is wonderful!!!!!

It absolutely stresses me OUT to have any kind of funk w/ my sisters Sorry you guys fell out in the first place & GLAD to hear you're back on track. Hopefully it never happens again. I wish everyone could learn how to put their bullshit aside

CalhounSq said:

I'm still not talking with my brother.


He dogged me and the kid out so badly that its hard to just put stuff aside.

That's wonderful Dex!!

Rhondab said:

Sorry to hear that - sounds like he's the one @ fault & needs to make amends, not everybody is big enough to do that. Hope he comes to his senses soon, family is just too important

Great news! Reminds me of what this guy once said "It is never to late or too early to mend a fence. Even if the sheep got out you can always get more. If the fence isn't broken well a nice coat of paint is always nice."

good for you

PaisleyPark5083 said:

Life is too short to let the "lighter" things keep you from family or keep them from you. Now, some of you know I've been going through horrible things with my dad but it's on a heavier scale than most fights, it's something that's been going on all my life and not just one fight, event or misunderstanding.
I applaud everybody who're generous enough to let family back in or make up (in a non-naughty way) with family members.

That's good news. Resolving your own inner conflicts, so that you have fewer storms brewing withing yourself, will calm your relationship with others as in the case of your brother. I think this can also extend to anyone else you may have or had an issue with. Once you conquer the enemy within, you will have no more enemies without. If you cling stubbornley to the things which get you mad, you prevent yourself from ever being happy. Even Nietzche, who isn't exactly the cheery type said, 'he who forgets is cured'.

Well! How great for you to have made it all these years without family bullshit. Mine's been going since day one

Happy B-Day Dex's dad! Is it belated, postponed? How do you wish happy birthday to someone who has moved on? Never thought about that one

.
[Edited 2/12/08 14:45pm]

I'm so glad things worked themselves out

Rhondab said:

Give him a Kiss!!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I grew up in a very tight family that goes beyond our household and to witness family drama and extreme consequences as a result just doesn't register with me. My ENTIRE family has always been very very close. We kept our village mentality even while the rest of society has not.... I LOVE MY FAMILY...ALL MY COUSINS....UNCLES AND AUNTS....EVERYONE!