From time to time our multi-generational home expands to include my older sibling. My brother and mother were always more compatible, though also more explosive, when we were kids in the house. Their laughter came easily, their pranks were notorious and their fights were legendary. All in all, growing up around their relationship was never dull and it taught me much about the more complicated dynamics of a household.

As I have mentioned before, my mother and I have worked out a fairly harmonious existence during the last 10 months of our blended household efforts. I understand that she struggles with control issues and she tries not to inflict those issues too heavily upon me on a daily basis. And for them most part all is well, until another family member stumbles into the mix. Currently my brother has been visiting for about two weeks; he has a flexible work schedule that allows for extended visits away from his home. My kids couldn't be more excited to have a grown man in the house. He gets down on his knees to chase Devon, he listens while Cassidy praddles on and on about who's who and what's what in her classroom and he helps Loren with technical computer issues. My brother helps with the many areas that my mother and I can't always address on an everyday basis. However, my sibling and my mother have yet to reach an easy existence with each other. An argument before breakfast in not an uncommon occurrence, another one by lunchtime is to be expected and yet another one by dinner is the routine. In between those outbursts are laughs and hugs as they realize their faults and apologize to one another.

The patterns of childhood do not necessarily disappear just because we are all getting gray hair and gravity is taking its toll on our bodies. To live with our families is a constant reminder of who we were and who we will always be. My mother and brother will always laugh and fight through their days. They will anger easily and then apologize in the next minute. This relationship will always boggle me for as long as I try to understand it. As ever I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to know my family so well, even if sometimes I do wish for just the tiniest bit of space to enjoy the silence.