I was experiementing with my blog and posted this to a new area. I wasn't sure my followers could see it so....I thought it best to post it again. I'm still trying to master this !!!
My Personal Childhood Web
As I think about those special pepolple that have been part of my life ,I have very fond memories. There were three influencial women in my life growing up.The first person to come to mind is my mother. Marge or Margaret to others or Maggie as my husband would call her, Nana to my children but to me she was Momma. She was a remarkable women. As a first generation born in America Italian, she made the best of what she was given in life. Raised in a family with 10 brothers and sisters during the depression, she grew up placing a great deal of value 0n family. She often told my sister and I stories about all that my Grandfather did to provide for his family. She only had an eighth grade education because when she was growing up, girls didn't need to go beyond that. She was needed at home to help my Grandmother with the other children. She often shared that not having the opportunity for an education was her only regret in life. She encouraged my sister and I to be what we wanted to be.
Next I think of my maternal Grandmother. She was a remarkable women. In the early 1900's, my Grandfather came to America to make a better way for his family. Leaving my Grandmother and two sons in Italy while he worked in New york City helping to build the subways. When he had enough money , he sent for my Grandmother and the two boys. Several of the men from their town did the same thing so all the women traveled to America by boat to join their husbands. She arrived knowing no English. According to my Mother, she adapted quickly to America. The families lived in the same neighborhood so everyone supported each other.
She learned English as best she could and did not read or write in either language ,yet she manged to ride the train and bus and be self sufficient. My Grandmother was an inspiration to me . When I think about the courage it took to leave her parents and travel to a new country with two babies in tow, I realize the sacrafices she made to benefit the family.
Another important woman in my life growing up was my Aunt Jane. She was my Father's youngest sister. Truly , she was a woman ahead of her time. She was the first one in the family to attend college. She was the first one in the family to have a career in a non-traditional field . She was the first one to extensively travel and she accomplished all of this on her own.
She was a role model for me. I learned through her women could do whatever they wanted to and not be held back by gender. This was all happening in the 1950's. Aunt Jane inspired me to think outside the box and be creative and courageous. She taught me to follow my dreams.
These incredible women have passed on but the memories I have will stay with me forever . Their courage, drive and love of family have been the basis of how I live my life. I have worked diligently at sharing with my children , what these special family members gave me.
Next I think of my maternal Grandmother. She was a remarkable women. In the early 1900's, my Grandfather came to America to make a better way for his family. Leaving my Grandmother and two sons in Italy while he worked in New york City helping to build the subways. When he had enough money , he sent for my Grandmother and the two boys. Several of the men from their town did the same thing so all the women traveled to America by boat to join their husbands. She arrived knowing no English. According to my Mother, she adapted quickly to America. The families lived in the same neighborhood so everyone supported each other.
She learned English as best she could and did not read or write in either language ,yet she manged to ride the train and bus and be self sufficient. My Grandmother was an inspiration to me . When I think about the courage it took to leave her parents and travel to a new country with two babies in tow, I realize the sacrafices she made to benefit the family.
Another important woman in my life growing up was my Aunt Jane. She was my Father's youngest sister. Truly , she was a woman ahead of her time. She was the first one in the family to attend college. She was the first one in the family to have a career in a non-traditional field . She was the first one to extensively travel and she accomplished all of this on her own.
She was a role model for me. I learned through her women could do whatever they wanted to and not be held back by gender. This was all happening in the 1950's. Aunt Jane inspired me to think outside the box and be creative and courageous. She taught me to follow my dreams.
These incredible women have passed on but the memories I have will stay with me forever . Their courage, drive and love of family have been the basis of how I live my life. I have worked diligently at sharing with my children , what these special family members gave me.
