Best of luck to you Anna!
I hope you can patch things up with your brother.
I only have one sibling (a brother) and can't imagine what it would be like to not talk to him for 5 years.
It will all work out in the end, I'm sure of it because we will all have you in our thoughts and prayers:D
Take Care & have fun!
Your friend
Anna
You can pick your friends, but not your relatives
Cookiebaker, such courage to get together and to confront something that has been on your mind for years.
I think family is very important, very, very important. I also know that sometimes fences (???) cannot be mended but they can be taken down. So, keeping the relationship at a certain distance until and when you feel comfortable enough to resume what we all think should be a "normal" relationship, is something that you must deal with. As long as you are at peace with your decision it will be good. If it turns out to be more work and trouble, then put the relationship in a place where it works for you. Not any brother and sister, or friend or relative HAS to be in your life. It would be nice, but not necessary to have a continued relationship if it is filled with pain and or guilt.
I truly hope you had a wonderful time reuniting with your brother and that it is one prgressive relationship from here on out.
I am not an authority on this topic - this is just my opinion.
SAS