Why? Why did I write this book? There are a number of reasons: First, I have a 28x17x18 container full of family memorabilia such as pictures, certificates, ship manifests, newspaper articles, family trees, draft notices, and citizenship papers. Additionally, I have vivid memories of family members who passed on when I was a child, the family rituals, and my own childhood experiences. Second, as the oldest grandchild by ten years, I interacted with many relatives whom my siblings and cousins have heard about but never knew first-hand. I felt a need to pass along my memories not only to my siblings and cousins, but also to my children and grandchildren. Third, when my grandchildren were little guys, they frequently would say to me, "Papa, tell us a story." Many of those stories make up a significant portion of The Silver Spoon Diaries. Finally, I wrote the book just to prove to myself that I could. So, when family and friends ask me why I wrote this, I simply say - Why Not?