One of the unique aspects of being an elder law attorney is that I am able to witness many of life’s lessons through my clients and their families. One life lesson that recently revealed itself to me in a profound way is the following: “Be nice to your sibling, you might need each other one day.”

For instance, I recently met with two adult children, a brother and sister, who were caring after their mother. Both had mom’s best interests at heart and were emotionally tattered from the devastating toll of watching her health spiral downward. Clear as day, it’s painful to watch the ones we love suffer.

Fortunately, the brother and sister, who weren’t all that close growing up, have begun to foster a supportive relationship by working together to take care of their mother. This relationship was most likely forged through necessity. Both siblings cared about their mother and through the painful realization that she needed more care than they could individually give, they needed and asked each other for help.

More than anything else, they have grown to genuinely care and complement each other. One example of this blessed relationship is that the brother was more financial minded and detail oriented. So he took the initiative and responsibility to organize and start paying his mom’s bills. He now handles his mother’s finances. The sister, on the other hand, was born a caregiver and her warm heart and soothing voice has helped mom at home during some rough stages in the aging process.

It’s important to appreciate that the busy and active lives of the brother and sister did not just come to a screeching halt when mom’s health worsened. In fact, when mom began writing multiple checks to the pay the same bill she just paid due to his Alzheimer’s, her son was still running his own business. And when mom had to go on oxygen and couldn’t bathe herself any more, the sister was still working full time and raising her own children.

Yet this brother and sister found a way to care for mom by caring for each other as well. I see this kind of compassion, collaboration, and unity more often than people realize. We often hear the horror stories and attention grabbing headlines about sibling rivalry and mistrust. Perhaps we should celebrate more of the heroics of those good hearted people all around us.

God smiled upon me when he created my sister Christina. If you research your thesaurus under the descriptions kind hearted, devoted, and caring, you will see my sister’s smiling photo. I would do anything for her and she has done more than I can thank her for already for me.

Make sure you take some time to appreciate your siblings and foster those relationships. You never know when you may need each other most.