Lille Family Time - Destiny?

 

 

The other day I saw this book out to take for free - the author has my Bro´s first name, so I took a pic and WhatApp´d if he wants it (no).

Next windowsill sat this:

 

Author with my name (I don´t read romance, so left it, too).

Made me think, these finds.

 

I could make Niece laugh so often when she was smaller (I won´t say I´m a comedian, though) - and Bro is kinda the romantic guy.

Which is strange because I take after our Dad who was romantic and Bro after Mum who was funny. 

 

Dad was delighted to see this:

 

 

On the back he wrote:

 

Dad  always wanted my Brother to step in his shoes and was really happy when I said I don´t want his shop - see, he was so fair to ask me first as I am  the older one.

He asked me.

Bro was not asked. - his way was crystal clear..
 

... to once look like this:

 

Bro became goldsmith and optometrist.

And then what happened?

 

A Germany-wide operating huge optometrist came to the little town, many  buy glasses and jewelry online.

And, to be honest, my Brother takes after our Mum... ambition is rather small, he prefers to chat with customers.

I tried to help, put his website online, asked again and again if he has special offers, said, make signs with special offers etc, etc, nah. Too much work.

In the end he had to take a second job as optometrist, but called this week to let me know it was so terrible he quit.

Maybe he would´ve been better off if he went this way:

 

Though these days a very dangerous job...

I once asked if he would´ve done something else if he had had a choice - after thinking he said, "too late anyways".

He has two kids, very little money, reckon he will have to look for a second job and I see no  reason why not something entirely different.

 

I am more than 5 years older and yet again do something new.

  

He has the house that is rotting away as he lives in a house they bought in the village.

Each and every time he calls he is unhappy.

His wife´s job is running as bad.

They´re both their own boss.

 

Look at me. I have a great job as an employee (only), earn good money. Can take a holiday whenever I want as we have no kids and go where I want. I don´t have to think if I can afford something (as I don´t want much anyways, haha).

I wonder... is it the genes, is it destiny? Both, I reckon.

I only wish he would call me sometime and say he is happy.

I know he would not be happy in my shoes, sad not even in his own.

One thing is for sure, though: He will not force his kids to take over the shop. He had to learn the hard way...

When also our Mom´d passed some thought it is unfair how our parents made the last will.

Bro getting the shop and the house, me two small apartments for renting out.

I am the lucky one, it turned out...

 

Still with hair on his head and optimistic...

If only you could turn back time (for him).