Heart Speak

I recently came across this old picture and remembered that I had kept it to share this sweet story.

A few years ago, I had a four and six-year-old perched on the kitchen counter as they helped each other in making their own ham sandwich. Six-year-old, Daniel, was trying to ask for a condiment but struggling over a word, when Alex said, “I know what you want… the mustard!” Daniel excitedly replied, “That’s what it is called!” Curious I turned and asked Alex how he knew what Daniel needed. He looked up at me completely serious and answered, “I can hear his heart speak because I’m his brother.”

I have never forgotten this interaction. Such a simple answer for Alex was utterly profound to me. I am an only child so watching the relationship develop between my children fascinates me. I’d love to believe that the bond between siblings is unbreakable, but unfortunately, I know that isn’t true. I have been witness to the heartache of friends where there is a rift between brothers or sisters. I pray that will never happen to my children.

Obviously, they argue and fight, but the anger quickly fades as minutes later they are joking and laughing. Although they love to poke fun at one another, they are quick to come to one’s defense if they see that feelings are getting hurt. I have tried to raise them with the idea that they always stand united when facing playground bullies. We’ve had neighborhood kids learn early on that to play with one means being kind to all. As they’ve gotten older, I really do think that they are becoming best friends, knowing each other’s secrets and hopes for the future.

Watching these sibling relationships develop and mature over the years has helped me in my own relationships because these siblings are not just those of blood, but of love, a blended family coming together. They’ve taught me loyalty and trust during trying circumstances better than most adults I know. I can’t help but think what a better place our world might be if we took after Alex and made more of an effort to hear our brother’s and sister’s “heart speak”.