Nancy Young wrote:

> A few years ago I was having a hell of a time getting food down,
> but I'd fake it in company. My sil's father, I love him, but in his
> loud voice, Is that all you're eating?? Why aren't you eating more,
> it's Thanksgiving! Oh, I'm not hungry, I had something before we
> came. Who eats before Thanksgiving dinner?? he boomed.
>
> Can't get anything past those goombas. (laugh) (and no offense to
> our goomba, it's an affectionate term where I came from)
>
> nancy
>
<Hoots and hollers in recognition even before reading that last line!!!!>
I just replied to another post saying just about this same thing.
It is in our DNA. What can I say? It *will* be discussed, but the gist
of it is to *not* take any of it personally. We're just looking for
affirmation that you love *us* by using our food as the tangible evidence.