The
Sibling Credo 
The
Sibling Credo
We are the surviving siblings of The Compassionate Friends.
We are brought together by the deaths of our brothers and sisters.
Open your hearts to us, but have patience with us.
Sometimes we will need the support of our friends.
At other times we need our families to be there.
Sometimes we must walk alone, taking our memories with us,
continuing to become the individuals we want to be.
We cannot be our dead brother or sister;
however, a special part of them lives on with us.
When our brothers and sisters died, our lives changed.
We are living a life very different from what we envisioned,
and we feel the responsibility to be strong even when we feel weak.
Yet we can go on because we understand better than many others
the value of family and the precious gift of life.
Our goal is not to be the forgotten mourners that we sometimes are,
but to walk together to face our tomorrows as surviving siblings of
The Compassionate Friends.
What Is A Brother?
Brothers
can be older or younger,
even if they are your twin.
Older or younger, with a brother,
you never seem to win.
An older brother likes to pull rank,
and show you whose boss.
But in times of trouble,
He will defend his younger siblings,
no matter what the cost.
A younger brother is noisy, pesky
and nonstop wants to play,
No matter what you do or where you go,
he is always in your way.
Who our brothers are, we don't have a choice,
So, we accept them with pride and just rejoice.
The role of a brother changes as he grows older,
His image of a sibling role model, becomes
more profound and bolder.
In a fatherless home, he would be
cool to have around,
role model image of a father,
through him could be found.
Your brother can be your confidant, young or old,
Many secrets, between siblings have unfolded.
When you are friendless and need a friend,
A brother is there to comfort and befriend you,
thru thick or thin.
A brother listens to your problems,
when he has the time and you feel the need,
Some good advice he can gave--Yes indeed!
As a sister, don't have a problem with
a boyfriend, especially one he doesn't like,
His protective nature, will quickly tell that boyfriend to
"Go take a hike."
A brother can bring joy to a family,
good hugs, laughs and fun
I thank God that he gave me several
brothers and not just one.
Dorothy Martin © July 1998
Other Sibling Grief Links
Sibling Survivors of Suicide Support Group
Am I Still A Big Brother or Sister?