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Thank goodness for older brothers

(70 Posts)
travelsafar Tue 01-Mar-22 08:10:58

My only surviving brother spent the day with me yesterday to help me sort out the old garden shed and put things in the new one. He was a god send, we managed to completely empty the old one and he filled his car with things I would not need. He will go through it all and dispose of at his leisure once he gets home. Like most men he knows where to sell on useful items and when to just take to the local dump. He also put up a shelf, refixed the seat on the toilet, moved a cupboard and did various other jobs I was unable to do. He will return in a couple of weeks to help me sort out the spare bedroom which has become a bit of a junk room and I can't face doing it alone. It was great to cook a meal for him and to have someone around the house to chat to. I made him a fruit cake to take home as its his favourite. It was a lovely day. smile

misty34 Mon 07-Mar-22 00:30:38

I am very lucky 2 older brothers and one younger plus a sister but she lives in USA. All 3 always there if needed but we don't live in each other pockets. Its lovely to know they are all just a phone call away. Dripping tap or any household emergency I would be lost without them.

crazyH Thu 03-Mar-22 16:31:37

I am the youngest of 9. All gone. The one I miss the most is the 3rd oldest brother. He was like a father to me. My Dad died when I was 14. ?

TwiceAsNice Thu 03-Mar-22 16:23:03

What a lovely day glad you enjoyed it. I have a younger brother who doesn’t want to be in contact ( no other siblings) I have tried hard but that’s how it is.

Little bit envious you sound as if you have such a nice relationship

Nicegranny Thu 03-Mar-22 15:38:42

I found a post that made me feel happy! This has reminded me to message my lovely brother.
Cherish him Travelsafar

Twopence Thu 03-Mar-22 12:43:12

Lindylou23 - that is so sadflowers
LauraNorderr - thank you, better day today.
Love to everyone who has lost a brother.

Grandmabatty Thu 03-Mar-22 08:52:02

It would be nice to have a supportive sibling. My younger brother is financially feckless, has lived off and with his elderly mother for years now and is a past master at learned incompetence. I'm tired at being the family fixer

Magrithea Thu 03-Mar-22 08:38:55

Sounds like the sort of thing I end up doing! My brothers all live too far from us and are not really the helpful type in that way.

harrysgran Thu 03-Mar-22 07:23:40

What a lovely day you had I also have an older brother and in many ways he has been my rock in recent years although he is nine years older and not in good health we love spending time drinking tea eating biscuits and putting the world to rightssmile

CanadianGran Wed 02-Mar-22 21:56:03

Lindylou23, sorry to hear of your DH's illness. flowers

Thisismyname1953 Wed 02-Mar-22 21:06:59

My DB1 is only 16 months older than me . We don’t see much of each other even though we only live a mile apart but he will do anything for me if I ask him to.
My DB2 is over 8 years younger than me and lives 125 miles away but I am closer to him and his wife. I’m lucky to have them .

MaggsMcG Wed 02-Mar-22 18:41:45

Lives not loves.

MaggsMcG Wed 02-Mar-22 18:41:19

I don't have any siblings. I do have a very lovely Son In Law who will come and help if I need him. One of my daughters that loves local will help with sorting if I decide to sort the loft. I spent most of today sorting my own paperwork.

Pedwards Wed 02-Mar-22 18:22:29

travelsafar

My only surviving brother spent the day with me yesterday to help me sort out the old garden shed and put things in the new one. He was a god send, we managed to completely empty the old one and he filled his car with things I would not need. He will go through it all and dispose of at his leisure once he gets home. Like most men he knows where to sell on useful items and when to just take to the local dump. He also put up a shelf, refixed the seat on the toilet, moved a cupboard and did various other jobs I was unable to do. He will return in a couple of weeks to help me sort out the spare bedroom which has become a bit of a junk room and I can't face doing it alone. It was great to cook a meal for him and to have someone around the house to chat to. I made him a fruit cake to take home as its his favourite. It was a lovely day. smile

Sounds like a fair exchange, glad you had a nice time together

travelsafar Wed 02-Mar-22 17:29:21

Thank you everyone for the lovely comments, i didn't realise how so many of you would enjoy my post. I have a younger sister who is just as supportive and we have Saturday mornings together every week with tea and toast while we catch up on each others news. I really do count my blessings having them both in my life...... blood defo thicker than water. smile

Saggi Wed 02-Mar-22 17:27:42

I’m envious…. I’ve got two older brothers and they’ve never lifted a finger for me.

Delila Wed 02-Mar-22 17:24:49

What a lovely man - caring, practical men are worth their weight in gold!

Peff68 Wed 02-Mar-22 17:23:40

Lovely to hear nice thread, he sounds wonderful smile

Molly10 Wed 02-Mar-22 17:16:18

Ah, bless you travelsafar, that's lovely. smile

icanhandthemback Wed 02-Mar-22 17:03:23

What a wonderful post. My younger brother suffered from terrible anxiety and self medicated until he killed himself accidentally. Sadly he was someone you couldn't have relied on but it doesn't mean we don't miss him enormously.
When my eldest child was younger she hated her little brother. Most of it was born out of jealousy and a fair bit of irritation at a brother who knew how to press her buttons. I used to tell her that one day, he would be her best friend and she would scoff at the through of it. However, when my daughter was diagnosed with BPD, her brother stepped up to make sure that he was careful with what he said to her and he has indeed been her best friend whenever she is having problems.

Lindylou23 Wed 02-Mar-22 16:46:11

How lovely, my husband has cancer in hospital having an operation,when I phoned his older brother he said thank you and put the phone down, that was 2 weeks ago and have not heard from him or his wife, she goes to church every week no compassion there.

sazz1 Wed 02-Mar-22 16:32:57

My brother died at 50 from a massive heart attack. He was on drugs for most of his life which left him with a learning disability, mental health issues and heart damage. He did have 10 years drug free thanks to the Salvation Army who worked endlessly with him and found him sheltered housing.
I have 3 sisters that I see regularly but don't think any would help us at all in times of need.
My DC have always been there for us though. You are very lucky OP.

LauraNorderr Wed 02-Mar-22 14:20:41

Twopence flowers

weeducky Wed 02-Mar-22 14:20:27

Cherish him, I lost my older brother a month ago.

Grantanow Wed 02-Mar-22 14:17:29

Men are a great blessing , especially when handy like your brother. I'm afraid getting an electric screwdriver isn't enough!

Kate1949 Wed 02-Mar-22 14:08:55

flowers for those who have lost brothers. I lost one too many years ago aged 24.sad