Reconciling Sibling Relationships
Cami Bradley, 41, a holistic therapist and graphic artist in Phoenix, Arizona, hints that their separation had caused her pain as well. “Scott and I were on opposite paths as children. We did not have much connection.” But after he called, she was willing to hear him out; she shared her brother’s intention to ameliorate the relationship and supported his newfound skills to do so.
Experts agree that intention, willingness, and skill sets are three keys to healing conflict. Says Kennedy, “the goal is to bring the relationship up to date so the past is no longer defining it.”
For my sister and myself, the trigger for reconciliation was catalyzed by the deaths of our parents in 1993. We tolerated each other politely during that time and grieved for years afterward quite alone. The rare times we spoke by phone were strained at best; we both felt phony and helpless. Yet we knew that we didn’t want to grow older harboring unresolved anger.
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