You wouldn't think it would be this difficult

I have a sister who's two years younger than me. Back in our childhood, there was sometimes friction between us. I knew she finally forgave me for being oldest when she allowed me to recommend a pediatrician.

That was more than 20 years ago.

She was offering to drive us, and to be with Bravest, and he was being all, "I don't want this to be about me," so (being my sister) she took matters into her own hands. Despite a ferociously busy schedule, she cleared her calendar and then told us she was going to be at the hospital. When I called her, the conversation went something like this:

"Bravest doesn't want this to be about him. So... do you want to be there because you're worried about your sister? Or because your sister would like to have you there?"

A pause.

"All of that."

And why is it so hard to say to the person I used to bathe with every night 53 years ago or so, "It would be a great comfort to have you there. Please come." Or for her to say, "I love you and I want to know what's happening to you."

I don't know why it's hard.

Bravest was laughing at me as I described this conversation, and so I asked him, "Would it be hard for you to say, "I love you and I want to be there for you," to your brothers?

"Well... yes."

Humans. Silly creatures indeed.