STORIES TO TELL - #1

Recently I spoke with a lady, I will call Josie, with whom I have become friends. This was our first opportunity to relax and talk at length about ourselves. I was fascinated by her 'childhood story'. She gave me permission to write it down for you to enjoy. I have taken some 'poetic license' to protect her privacy.


Vincent and Maria were finally realizing their dream. As they looked up in awe at the 'Grey Lady' in the New York Harbor, they wept. Like most who were on that boat, they were full of hope. This was to be their home, and the future of their family. Everything was new - their marriage, and now their country. It took some time to process in. 

Vincent immediately found work and a 3 bedroom house in a low income area. Shortly after settling in they became pregnant with their first child. Maria was an excellent homemaker, and a magnificent cook. She was creative, making her own sausage - stuffing it and curing it herself. This was only one of her culinary abilities. It took very little money to buy the items to make a meal now, but soon there would be more mouths to feed. They wanted a large family.

While Vincent worked, Maria cooked and baked.  Believing there should always be excess, because you never knew when someone in the neighborhood would be hungry, she began to open their house once a week to feed anyone who would come. With his meager income, they continued the weekly ritual and were never left wanting.

Soon their first child was born. Every year thereafter they had another child. In 18 years they had 18 children. None of whom went hungry or without. Yes, they were 'poor'. Usually there were 4 or 5 children sleeping in the same bed, in both rooms. Josie recalled memories of waking up to see stuffed sausage hanging from the ceiling over their bed. The children loved being in the same bed, they did the usual amount of arguing, giggling, and tickling.

Vincent and Maria didn't speak English, so the children taught them some of the language and, as important, how to use the phone!

My friend Josie was the 18th child. By the time she was born the elder siblings were getting married and having their own families. There were nieces and nephews older, the same age, and younger than her. The house was always filled with family, families, and neighbors.

Josie's greatest memory is the amazing, endless, overwhelming love that surrounded her through her childhood.

She is one of the 3 remaining siblings.