We are family! We are adults!! Act like it!!

I love my family. They are may family.

I have a brother, like any normal pair of siblings who are about three years about, we have sibling rivalry.  We competed for our parents attention.  Who learned to ride a bike first? Who could stay out and play after dark? All completely normal.  As we got older and our now in our thirties we still have the child dynamic of sibling rivalry.   My brother picks on me just like we were teenagers, he thinks it is okay.  Even when I point out to him, that it is not appropriate, he laughs it off.  Today, I feel a line was crossed.  On Facebook, I changed my profile photo to support marriage equality.  Immediately my phone blew up with text messages from my brother, asking what my profile photo meant, and then he told me my beliefs were wrong.  I can't even share my views with him, he just shuts down like a child and runs off.  When this happens years will pass with out him speaking to me.  I thought we were past this stuff, we are in out thirties, he has a child, we only have our mother left.  Our mom suffered a stroke and is in a nursing home, because she limited use of her right side and has a hard time speaking.  

I am flustered but I know not to poke the bear. I am going to let it slide I would rather have family in my life that push them away over something petty.  I don't feel my brother reciprocates these same feelings. 

I never tell him I believe his political or religious views are wrong. He will do that to me.  Every time, just like today.  My views are my views and your views are yours.  I won't convert you, don't convert me.    

We are in our thirties, I want to be adult friends, I want to be in my niece's life. 
I have been trying for years, my brother can't be friends with my friends, they all do something to offend him.  They are not even trying, it just happens.  It can be the most random comment, he takes offense and runs off. I remember a joke about a paraplegic baby made him walk out of a restaurant.  He was a joke, not meant to offend anyone, just to make people laugh. 

He never introduces me to his friends or anything. He just snaps at me for my behavior and those around me. Today it hurts my soul to think my niece will grow never really knowing me or grow up to think I am bad person, because I don't share the believes of his parents.