Being born into an extended family with more than 50 first cousins meant never having a shortage of playtime friends and sports buddies. It was easy to come to a family gathering and find my place, as my brother and I were on the younger end of the 55 first cousins. We were born into community and later mentored by numerous cousins who were good role models. All of this was on my mom’s side of the family, where she was one of thirteen brothers and sisters, most of whom immigrated from the Phili…
