I (F,28) am leaving the state for work in about a week and a half and I have some thoughts that I want to share with my little brother. We have lived together all of our lives so far. Just some little things that I want him to remember after I’m gone as I won’t be visiting as much due to a busy schedule. I want to tell him that I’m sorry that I wasn’t the best sister while we grew up together and wasn’t always available, and that I will miss him and love him and that I actually admire him in many ways. I didn’t really grow up in a household where we shared our emotions to eachother and told eachother these types of things, so it is difficult for me to express these things in person, but It is easy for me through written letters.
TLDR: I’m leaving home for the first time for work for a few years and wanted to ask if it would be lame if i wrote my little brother a letter
Comments
Why not say this in person when saying goodbyes?
You’re only moving out of the state, you’re not going to Mars.
I would have a talk with him and tell him how you feel and what you express seeds in him for life
Send him letters he will feel loved because you took the time to think of him.
I wish cell phones never existed
We have lost how to truly communicate
A letter is a great idea. He can keep it and reread it when he needs reassurance. I bet it will mean a lot to him. Especially if you didn’t grow up in an expressive household, I imagine it will be very impactful.
Of course it isn’t lame. It’s a nice human gesture.
Write the letter.
What’s the worst that can happen?
Not lame. It’s something he could hold to but tell him in person too.
I think it would be sweet. Such things can become family history documents, and so much can be expressed in writing that’s hard to make clear verbally.
This is a very good idea and when he reads it. I’d give it b4 you leave so he can respond and maybe you two can have a moment together. He will remember for the rest of his life.
You’re asking if showing your little brother that you love him through writing is lame?
This is why I no longer have hope for humanity.
Literally the least lame thing ever, big sis. He’ll probably keep it forever.
Write it
You know… you would regret not doing it and not saying it during your goodbye if something were to happen to either of you.
People in their death beds regret not saying what was on their minds.
You should definitely do this. It’s a great way to start to transition that sibling relationship into something close and healthy that will last the rest of your life. There’s a real risk that when you move away from a sibling you were never close to, you just become strangers to each other who awkwardly catch up when there’s a family wedding or funeral.
Sounds as an amazing letter
Absolutely write the letter. Telling him in person is good, but a tangible expression of your love that he can read and re-read and digest is even better. Physical letters are far underrated in today’s world.
Not lame at all—it’s actually really sweet. A letter is a meaningful way to express what’s hard to say out loud. He’ll likely treasure it. Write it.