Hi Supernova,

I had written a reply to your post yesterday, and the power went out as I was finishing... : (

I have difficulty verbally expressing myself in such situations. The family (I am now divorced from) used to hold hands and go round giving thanks individually on Thanksgiving. It was very uncomfortable for me. It all seems trite to me..."I thank god for my family, my home, my health, etc etc. To me it "goes without saying".

I think though that there IS value in verbalizing emotions...We certainly know that it is not healthy to withold negative emotions, so I think it stands to reason that it would be healthy to express positive ones. I grew up in a family that did not, so that may be my source of discomfort. Never do I recall people saying I Love You in my childhood home. I make sure those who are close to me hear it frequently, even my Mother who did not say that tome as a child. I must say too that I am much more emotional at mid age than when I was younger. I've got a whole slew of planets progressed to Pisces to make sure of it!

As for people at work, I might have difficulty feeling emotionally close, that would depend, I suppose.

This quote from my page sums it up quite nicely for me...

You ask me why I do not write something....I think one's feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results. Florence Nightingale (1820 - 1910)

>"Wow, if I never saw any of these people again, I wouldn't even care."

"Well, it's true isn't it? Most people we work with, a few years down the road we might see a photo of them and have already forgotten their name."

Yes, but I guess I didn't make it clear... everyone else who works at this place is really like family with each other. A few of the guys grew up together, others are neighbors. So they hold each other very dear in their hearts. I appreciate this tight-knit vibe, it certainly makes it more pleasant to work there. But, uh, yeah, I'm not buying in. :)