As seen in my post, Because I Can, here is what I'm grateful for, today:

Today, Day 3, April 26, I am grateful for people to share things with.

I grew up with 2 brothers and a sister, all of whom had gone off to college by the time I was 10 (they are 9, 12 and 14 years older than me).  I also spent time with cousins, uncles, grandparents and family friends living in our house at one point or another.  What this taught me was to find bonds with people so the time I shared with them was more meaningful; it's not that vegging in front of the TV was taboo, but that's not the kind of thing that we cherished.  What we cherished was my grandfather, the priest, teaching us poker and the less-favorable Greek phrases; the 20-person Christmas mornings; the exchange students from other countries who stayed with us for entire school years; listening and/or performing music together (no, we were NOT the Partridge family).

Now, as close to an adult as I ever hope to be, I live no closer than a thousand miles to my siblings, parents and closest friends.  It is important, for me, to find bonds with people early in knowing them, to find a bond, a common ground to build quick friendships. These days I have found my closest relationships thanks to the Dallas Stars Fanatics, Park Cities Rotary Club and my various professional affiliations including work.

By the way, the photo above is my brother Andy's wedding.  From left to right are: Peter (eldest brother), David (brother-in-law), Joanna (sister), Andy (brother), Jenn (his wife), Phoebe (mom), Mac (dad), myself; and standing at half height in front of us are David & Joanna's kids: Christopher, Rose and Aaron (my godson).  We may be spread out around the country (San Francisco, Dallas, Ithica and Connecticut) but we have a damn good party when we are together!
 

Read the complete post at http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/jayleasktech/~3/278576000/being-grateful-day-3.aspx