I know we have no choices about who are family.  And, while we love our family, there’s no law we have to like them.

I have two brothers who have, between them, four daughters and a son.  I made a conscious decision when I was 27 not to have children.  I like children but I did not want to be a mother.  So, being close with my brothers’ children was important to me. While they were children, it wasn’t surprising that we had good times together. I feel so fortunate in having enjoyed them during those years.

Even as they matured, developing their adult lives, they continued to be interesting.

And now, they are all in their 30s.  It seems to break the odds that I should still really like all 5 of them. I enjoy being with them, talking about interesting topics, and doing things with them. 

I seem incredibly lucky to still like being with them.  Isn’t that unusual?  Or is it? 

I’d love to hear from others with similar experiences.