DEAR ABBY: I enjoyed your annual New Year's piece, "Just for Today," based on the original credo of Al-Anon. Something about the idea of trying each day to be a better person in 2002 prompted me to spontaneously call my long-estranged brother, "Phil." He lives only 30 miles from me, but he's always been millions of miles away emotionally.
Four years my junior, Phil and I never bonded as children. Our father was harsh and rejecting. He was a driven workaholic who never displayed affection, nor did our mother. I married just as Phil graduated from high school. We saw very little of each other after that.
It has come to me in these golden years of my life that inclusiveness is better than exclusiveness, forgiveness is better than resentment, and civil communication is better than silence.
I made the call. We chatted on a somewhat superficial level, but I'm glad I did it. Now if my brother ever wishes to call me, he knows he will get a warm, positive response. Many thanks for the reminder, Abby. –- JOYCE IN SACRAMENTO
DEAR JOYCE: You started the year off right, extending your hand in friendship. Bravo! Whatever will be, will be.