Apr05
Doing the Right Thing…
All of my life, I’ve struggled to do the “right thing…”
The older I become, I find that I instinctively know what the “right thing” is – at least for me. I find that I’m able to weed out the false from true, and stand firmer in my beliefs. However, this post isn’t about “right doing” on a global level – it has to do with care and concern for my family members.
I actually traveled from late December until last Monday. I have to say that I met many wonderful people, and in some ways I “found my tribe.” However, life goes on and in reality I have five brothers and a sister. We’re not close, and I attribute that to losing my father after a five year illness when I was twelve.
Struggling…
Previously, I would “beat my head against the wall” to establish contact with my brothers and sister. I got tired, and finally just gave up. I talk to two of my brothers from time-to-time, but our lives rarely connect in any significant manner. Still, they are my family and I can’t just “turn my back” on them. I don’t communicate with my sister (the oldest) well, as she frequently likes to “try” and make me feel guilty.
Age and illness…
I’m in just enough contact to find out that my middle brother was hospitalized (and still recovering) from cellulitis in the Los Angeles area. However, more pressing and serious was the diagnosis of my oldest brother with bladder cancer in Indianapolis. There are two siblings in the Indianapolis area to help, but no one seems to care. I was shocked and upset to find that my brother who lives in an apartment has no bed. Granted, he’s a poor financial planner and probably could have made it happen. However, next Tuesday he starts chemotherapy and the thought of him being ill without a bed was incomprehensible to me.
Bed…
So, I contacted my brother and ordered the bed he wanted from IKEA and also contacted TaskRabbit to have it assembled. I also contacted my siblings to see if anyone wanted to chip in on the cost. Imagine the awkward chirping sound of ultimate silence. So, I’m out approximately $700. It’s really OK, and deep down I really didn’t expect any of the siblings to step up to the bat.
Sadness…
Still, it makes me sad that my other siblings (who are more financially affluent than me) chose not to help our brother in need. Yes, I can afford the bed. No, I really didn’t expect anyone to chip in. However, I was hopeful that somehow our familial bond would cause them to do so.
The Right Thing to Do…
For me, I didn’t do anything extraordinary. However, I just couldn’t let my brother battle cancer without a bed to rest in at night. It was the right thing to do…
