Travel is always great with the right people

When I think of all the planes I have flown on, the most memorable trips are with family with notable exceptions to and across the Ice.

A journey in life is only as significant as the people who accompany us. It sounds like a relatively simple quote but it is even more significant to me as I travel regularly for business without my family.

One trip I recall was to visit my grandparents, Anne and Ralph, in San Diego. This was one of those times that my brother Ian and I flew unaccompanied.

He didn't know it but being his traveling companion was always fun. I felt a sense of responsibility for him, as a big brother should. I knew he would do anything to look out for me too. And, the best part was we were together on the journey with a handful of activities and flight attendants who kept an eye on us at first, saw we were good kids, left us alone, and made sure we got off the plane safely.

If nothing else, writing this makes me wonder when Ian and will ride together again.

My Brother Matt

Rarely do I see my siblings. It is even rarer to see the ones who live close, like Alex, Mike, Mike (my other brother Mike), and Matt. It is a shame though because I really like spending time with these brothers and sister of mine.

Last night, we celebrated two birthday's at Lamb's Cafe and I was blessed to see hear Matt rattel off one joke after another. He is really a funny guy when he isn't even thinking about it. Even better he was sensitive to the fact that some younger ears were listenings to his quips.

I can't say I have the same taste in tatoos or Sunny Delight, but I am glad this guy is my brother.

Almost eight years

Nearly eight years ago, my life was much different. I had no kids and my expendable income was, well, available to expend. With a little more than a week to go before AnnaLeesa turns eight, I rejoice in every moment I spend with her and Harrison.

We are sitting on the couch right now, me at one end and AnnaLeesa at the other, watching The Simpsons.Some parents might disagree with the choice of programming. Other parents still might disagree with our choice to watch TV. To those who disagree, I can only say that they must find their own special times to spend with their children. Oh yeah, and to stop being snobs.

AnnaLeesa and Harrison are such wonderful kids. Genuinely caring, smart, and funny. I know they received their good looks from Kim. Certainly, they did not inherit a singing voice from my side - thank God.

The fact is, I love this buggers.

Love from your big brother

Nostalgia is a funny thing. If I look back far enough, I have fond memories and not-so-fond memories. Most memories are what we make of them after the event, of course.

Friday night I cheered my one and only little sister on as she walked in her high school graduation. The evening ceremony reminded me of when I graduated from high school. Not that this post is really about my graduation.

When I graduated high school, my sister wasn't born yet. With about five months to go, my sister was someone I had not yet met, came to the ceremonies, and didn't so much as give me a card. I couldn't have been more excited that I would have a sister soon.

Not to diminish the value of having great brothers, but a sister was something I had wanted for a long time. Too bad she came along as I was embarking on new chapters in my living arrangements and who would have known at that time that she would move to Vegas in only a few years. But I still remember holding her and wanting nothing but the best for her.

She was always a cute girl but Ian and I knew she was more than cute. She was always incredibly smart and sensitive. She could picked out Bob Marley on the stereo or by any assortment of pictures by the age of 2, which is a heck of a lot better than the classical composers. She never ceased to amaze me as she kept her life in much better order than the sometimes chaotic upbringing our mom invoked. It is a testament to her beliefs and her strength to see her develop into an increasingly independent woman.

We haven't lived in the same state for a long time. High school unavoidably interferred with much quality time with my sister as I was not as cool or entertaining as her friends, but I still was there waiting in the wings to be her brother. I remember the time I gave her my sincerest beliefs about ignoring the mean girls, the girls who thought money mattered most, and how I would stomp on them if Alex wished it. It was one of those moments where I was able to impart guidance, to bestow sibling love, and to offer to flex some muscle to defend my sister.

I still am there. And, I think, she knows I always will be.

Congratulations Alex.

- Your brother