Introduction
Books are convenient instruments to set forth and preserve facts, history, stories, opinion, humor, pictures, and more. Why this book? All of the above. Let me explain.
At the time that these words are written, I soon will advance to the age of eighty-four. In 2012, I lost my wonderful wife, Shirley. At that time we were approaching our fifty-third wedding anniversary of a marriage in which three children have blessed it with five grandchildren. This book is directed to my grandchildren as my convenient instrument to tell them through a series of essays, who I am. Because who I am in great measure is who they are.
Much is written today about the break-down of the family, and rightfully so, because for many the organizational structure known as 'family' is broken. And it is here that a distinction must be made. An individual family member of a dysfunctional family should not be labeled the 'broken' element, the family structure is! The individual family member is like the bumper sticker describes, 'God doesn't make trash!' Today, social scientists advance all kinds of theories and remedies about restoring the American family. Yet, I believe they miss the big one, namely, inculcate pride of family. However, pride emanates from knowledge.
When I was a child, we visited family. Boy did we visit family. I never knew I had so much family. When I would complain that 'I didn't even know such-and-such person,' my parents would tell me that they were a second cousin on my mother's side, or something like that. A few years ago, my wife and I visited Dugenta, the town in Italy where my parents spent their youth. Again, we visited family, and more family. Then it dawned on me! My entire life had been exposed to 'family' in the Italian tradition of a very big circle, as contrasted to 'family' in the American tradition, of a small circle. Because of a lack of knowledge of one's family we have drawn the family circle closer as one draws a shawl tighter around the shoulders. It is a forbidding posture.
Here, I open my arms to my grandchildren. A welcoming posture. Come read about Paw Paw. "To know him is to love him."
Simeo Gallo
Updated August 2013