Oh,no Mr Bill...not the yellow pad!

 Twenty, thirty or more no one really counted how many were at the table. It was always full, loud and happy.

And then, the yellow pad appeared. I never knew how long it took Bill to fill that thing up, but every year the speech got longer. And, the food was getting cold. Sean, Michael and I tried to help speed him up, but it never worked. To be honest , I think it was a great game that we all played and enjoyed. A Thanksgiving without the speech just didn't seem right. It still doesn't. So here I am doing one without a pad.
Bill, Dolores(Zsa Zsa), Herby, brothers,sisters, uncles, aunts,and all the rest of us agree, Bill and Aggie you are the best! In a brave new world where the nuclear family is a thing of the past, you not only kept yours alive and thriving but brought so many others into your hearts and home. Grace and I know how hard it is to keep everyone so tight even as they spread over the continent. It's a big part of what makes our Roman family so important to us. They accepted us just as you did and like you haven't forgotten.

Today the only question is, what are the things you cherish most and give thanks for? You have the answer. Family and those you know should have been family. I feel lucky, because I have you among that group...luckier still, because the group continues to grow. Enjoy the day, that is what Thanksgiving is about.