He was born in Reggio, Calabria and came to America when he
was a young man in his late teens.
When he arrived he was greeted by cousins and then was
given a job in construction. Breaking concrete and only surrounding himself
with those that knew his culture.
He then was introduced to my Mom, it was a brief
relationship and at 16 years old she married him. My Mom raised all her
siblings as her Mother passed young and kept house for her Father, who came
here from Naples.
As soon as they were married my Dad was drafted in the army
and was deployed back to Europe.
Once he returned, he continued in construction and then
opened the first Taxi Company in Fort Lee, NJ.
Dad drove and Mom was home with us, taking the calls….
At a young age I knew we were different! Not the average
American family for sure. All I know is that I was so intrigued with this
culture, the language and the food.
One by one, year after year my Dad sent for his family.
They lived with us until they secured employment and then moved on. With each
cousin came a new experience for me. I learned that they all had been promised
when they were born. I never knew quite what that meant until my cousin Tina’s
future husband arrived in America. That was the only part of the culture I
wanted no part of !!!!
They all shared different stories of their homeland, the
farms, the music and the food, ahhhh the food!!! It was like a visceral
fairytale for me.
We received boxes from Italy filled with cheese and tuna.
Candy, oil and of course photos. I can still remember what that food tasted
like, smelled like!
Then my Dad’s Mother finally came to visit. I was in awe!!
She was this small woman with braided hair around her
entire head. Her clothes were in layers?
Each night I would sit with her and she would hold up a hairbrush
and say,” Spazzola per capelli” – ah hairbrush and so it went. Any time she had
something in her hand she would tell me in Italian and I locked it in.
Yes, we were different. We were passionate people. Loving
people. People that talked of Italia like it were 5 miles away.
Proud people, people that valued tradition and the family.
Not unlike many other family’s that have migrated to this
country from other counties.
Hollywood made films about our Culture that at times may
have only pointed out the stereotypical Gangster. However we cannot take this
to heart, as indeed there was organized crime in all cultures.
Years ago to
be called a Guido was a badge of honor. Today , not so much “J
Which is why I always valued diversity.
When I hear people say, “ these people come here and take
over the county”, does it anger me? You bet it does! Why? Because I am the
child of an immigrant that came to here make a better life.
So Happy Italian Heritage Month!
And remember the food, the music, the tradition and the
family! The Culture…
And remember the struggle that our Mothers and Fathers
encountered in a strange land looking to find their way.
Hey, if Dad never came here I could have been living in
Italy!!!!!
What!!!!!!!! Oh Man.. Daddddddddddddddddd !!!!!!!!
Viva Italia
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