Journeys: All Ages
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One of my first memories was at three years old. It was when Nonna taught me poems; counting and reciting in Italian and English. However repetitive these lessons, I knew these lessons were beneficial, because as I later would learn, these poetic exercises would cultivate my love of poetry as an adult.
Another cherished memory of my relationship with Nonna was coming home from college. Nonna I knew I loved lentils and split pea stew. Nonna prepared this favorite food with an intensity that Julia Childs cooked for her television audience every week. This meal not only was pleasing to one''s taste buds, it definitely relaxed me after a hectic week of studying. But I remembered discussing topics, such as faith, religion, history, and family ethics with my grandmother. Nonna had an an intelligence that would amaze many of my college professors. She was a woman who viewed life as a challenge and an opportunity. Even if Nonna only had a fourth grade education; her wisdom confirmed for me that life must be lived to its full potential. She firmly believed if you wanted something bad enough, one should go for it. I heard the voice of Nonna say, "Don''t waste time finding yourself, a miracle happens when you have a job working, and you learn from other people." I interpreted this as, "Being in relationship with other people helps us to develop who we become."
The third recollection of cherished memories of Nonna is sitting at a table with a kerosene lamp during a severe thunderstorm with my two siblings, Robert and Joann, and when the storm caused a blackout, the kerosene lamp seemed to bring a serene atmosphere of quietness for the three of us. Nonna knew these stories would make her grandchildren forget the turbulence of the weather, and she was correct as usual. Nonna would tell us tales of her childhood in
As Nonna was resting in bed, I began to ponder happy memories of me being encouraged in prayer. For example: Nonna always prayed to
I was beginning to realize growing older is a process, and it need not be feared. Because of Nonna, I truly believed life is a journey, in which there is much travel, and we can never escape living. If we face the trials of life, we will have gained wisdom. I understood from Nonna; wisdom comes at any age, if we will choose to learn from our mistakes, and not repeat them over and over. Nonna''s legacy to me was, "don''t be afraid to risk living, it is only when we attempt to travel in the journey of life, we are beginning to learn courage." She also taught me to gamble in love. She constantly conveyed to me, "If you have never lost in love, you will never know what love is once you finally find it." I wrote a poem in which I will dedicate to Nonna:
"The Journey of Life bring blisters, but in the walking, we can find support, if we seek true friendship."
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About the Book
The book, Journeys: All Ages is a collection of non-fiction and fiction stories of individuals facing life’s dilemmas and conflicts. It deals with being different, religion, losses of family and friends, growing up, and learning to get a long with each other.
In the non-fiction part of the book, Mary Ellen shares her experiences of her life. Whether it is the loss of family or friend. An illness, such as ovarian cancer, in which there are feelings of emptiness as a woman. Mary Ellen expresses personal feelings, such as religion, losing parents and friends, intolerance, left-handedness, children of different religions.
In the fiction part of this book, the stories are written about children from eight to fifteen years old. The stories deal with issues such as: friendship, respecting one another, caring, sharing one’s religion, getting along with a brother and sister, dealing with losses of a friend.
The views and opinions expressed by Mary Ellen are her perception of the world.
About the Author
I was born in
I think I enjoyed writing and using my imagination a lot. I used to enjoy thinking up stories out of my head…I remember a psychologist at school giving me pictures to explain, and telling her what it meant. And I remember giving her a story, in which it seemed like I went on forever explaining them. Even the psychologist I think was amazed at my imagination. I think the heavens were preparing me for a career in children’s writing.
I began writing after graduate school, when I signed up to do a year in AmeriCorpsVISTA. I began writing short, descriptive essays. Even a BA in Sociology and a MPA in Health Service Administration didn’t deter me in pursuing my passion for writing; it was at this point, I decided to take courses at
I believe “Growing Pains are universal.” We might be as unique as Human beings; but we still go through the same experiences of childhood, puberty, adult…AND MIDDLE AGE as I’m discovering. I hope to bring this out in all my stories.
I live the life of a Single Person in