National Siblings Day - Hey what's that?
Today is Siblings day. Honestly, how many of us are aware of such a day being celebrated in the west? Siblings Day (sometimes called National Siblings Day or National Sibling Day) is a holiday recognized annually in some parts of the United States on April 10,[1] honoring the relationships of siblings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siblings_Day. Even though it is a bit sad that unlike Mother's Day and Father's Day, it is not federally recognized, the Siblings Day Foundation is working to change this.
It is heartwarming to see the foundation declare the day as ‘ it seeks to unite and reunite siblings who may have been separated by distance, by circumstance, by birth and adoption or interpersonal, familial issues.' Read more here:
A different version honoring the sibling bond is celebrated in India as Raksha Bandhan.
On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman, or amulet, called the rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, ritually protecting their brothers, receiving a gift from them in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.
With the media making so much publicity around days like Valentine's day etc., how many of us are even aware of this day being celebrated in the west? Siblings are a very important but often an under-appreciated special relationship and bond of love, friendship, and respect shared between those lucky people who were blessed from being a single child in the world. Above all it a selfless relationship, unexpecting, unassuming and one that always seeks to love and protect.
Dearest Panni,
A Sister is our first friend and second mother
To have a loving relationship with a sister is not merely to have a buddy or a confident
-- it is to have a soulmate for life.
Since I am not blessed to be in the same city as you anymore all I can do is look at some old photographs of the good times we have spent together, cherish our wonderful childhood memories and make this miss you card with loving thoughts.
I want you to know that you have been a pillar of love and strength to me during some of my really trying times in life. I hope to be the same and much more to you always.
Well now that I feel happy from reminiscing lovely childhood memories with my elder brother this Siblings day, how do would you like to celebrate this truly unique and under-appreciated relationship?
Few thoughts on celebrating this unique day
- Cook them their favorite dish, take them out to do their favorite activity, stay at home and go through old family photos and videos, and reminisce about the good times you had growing up together.
- Spend some time with your siblings. If you live away from them, call them and talk to them. Even better, how about a surprise visit?
- If you are unable to call or visit them, what about sending them a lovely card that tells them how much you miss them and care for them? I chose the option to make a card and pen down few words on my blog saying how much my elder brother means to me and trust me it feels fantastic.
- Tell them how much you love them and appreciate them and all they do for you/have done for you.
- If your siblings are no longer with you, what about doing something special in their memory?
- If you happen to read this and know someone like say your spouse who has a lovely sibling show them this post and suggest they spend some quality time with their sibling.
