Thanksgiving - The Italian Creed, Fran Werschler

This holiday, I am most thankful for my big fat Italian family, my heritage, and all that I've learned from them.  As we grow older, we begin to realize how fragile life really is.  The holidays always bring about a taste of bittersweet...as these are days that remind me of the huge family dinners.  As time moves forward, the dinners seem to get smaller; memories larger.

I have friends that haven't spoken to their families in years.  When I see this, it saddens me...as I'm not sure any skeleton, lie, mistake, or mishap, could keep me from mine.  Forgive and be forgiven; life is too short.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I bring to you "The Italian Creed," written by Frances (Crifasi) Werschler.  She was my Godmother, forever always being the woman who inspires me to be selfless and giving.  We miss you.

The Italian Creed

by Frances Werschler

We believe in food

We can never eat enough of it

We grow too much, and we eat too much

To share with family, neighbors and friends

We believe in drink

Wine, coffee and conversation

We have been told we talk too much

We believe we have much to say...and we do

We take the saying, "Wake up and smell the coffee" literally.

From the day we are born we think our name is EAT EAT!!

But as we grow older, we realize our real name is...

Stephanie-Josie-Maria-Jackie-Francie-Rosalie-

Whatever the hell your name is

We believe in family

We believe that it is written somewhere in the

Italian Handbook that at least one of our children

should be named Joseph or Josephine

We are compassionate people

We believe in giving ourselves unconditionally

no matter what the cost

We do everything excessively

We eat too much, drink too much, and love too much

We believe in wearing our emotions inside out for all to see

We laugh, we cry, we get angry

Then we cry, get angry, and laugh again

We are poets, musicians, artists, and lovers

We believe in Faith

The resurrection and life

And we believe God is Italian....and God is.

Frances (Crifasi)Werschler

1958-2004