My story is dedicated to the following:
I also want to dedicate this to my wife, Carol, our two children, (Gina Denise and Dennis Neil), Bruce (our son-in-law), Carolyn (who is presently with Dennis), and our six grandchildren: Owen, Daisy, Emre, Teagan, Lily and Bode, Also, my Brother Bobby and his family, (Gladys and Michael Alonso), and the rest of the Mistretta and Stafford family. In part two which will be named, “All of Me,” I plan to incorporate them into my life story as well.
Often it is important to know where we come from… this creates a fuller sense of direction in one’s life, when participating in a larger lifelong plan. All those who contributed to our family history are in a certain sense still living inside ourselves; wherever; their physical existence took place. It could be a time, a place, a feeling in our heart, or any sense that helps us remember.
I feel my life was fuller because of my experiences as a young child and I am hoping this book will translate those experiences to my own children and grandchildren. I want to share my feelings so others may gain a sense of what was and how life has remained the same, yet has changed so much. Therefore; I remain compelled to write my feelings of a generation gone and hope that one day our children and grandchildren may experience in part some of what was felt by me. I realize they will have their own stories to tell and share and although different will hopefully convey what was important to them in growing up in a world they can call their own.
It may be overstated, but I feel you may answer many personal questions with a bit of tunneling into your family’s past, history, behaviors, and customs that your parents and relatives gave you, and you will unconsciously transmit them to your children. There’s a special thrill when you find something that seemed lost forever! From the dusty, crumbling documents and pictures, to old stories or people who belong to what you now are, or in the mist of time that looks at you silently, affectionately, waiting for you to decipher these stories; rescuing them from oblivion and passing them on to new names as well as stories for the next generation. It seems to me that this lost behavior was due to my inabilities to communicate in the present, but thought I could do it by reflecting the past. Although I felt in time, somehow it would get done. With others there seems to be another way of communicating; one that is best for each person’s persona, so I challenge them to pass on what is important to them either in the present or the past. Since I feel I did not pass on what I wanted during my younger years; I hope that the next generation will get a sense of how I felt growing up from Italian immigrants on one side and the American farmers on the other. I had a rich background from my grandparents and parents and hope that someday I will be able to convey all that I felt. I also realize that I never spoke my mind in a way that was understood orally or delivered my inner thoughts in such a manner that was easily understood by others, but I hope can now share the many treasures inside me and they will not be lost at “sea”.
With much love and admiration I present these treasures to the future! It was difficult my entire life to express my thoughts, feelings, and the love I wanted to share. Although they lingered in my heart, rarely did they get expressed verbally.
Much of my writing is dedicated to all of my family: my parents, my wife, my children and grandchildren for all they represent to me and for their unselfish love, care and attention!
I cannot say enough for my Aunt Francis and my Uncle Pepe for they were such a large part of my life with the love of having a second set of parents.
Nonna and Nonno were truly everything a set of grandparents could be. They gave their love and admiration and asked for nothing in return as did my parents and many of my aunts and uncles. I attribute my ways much to those of my Nonno, who was stern, loving, but just as quiet. He was misjudged in life; often criticized, but proud all at the same time. I feel he gave me much to think about; although, Nonna was truly the Angel of Love!
I can truly say how wonderful it was growing up in an environment when crime and corruption, (although there) were concealed. It was a time in history when so much love, nourishment, and attention were given.
The 60’s and 70’s were wonderful years as were the 40’s and 50’s. Our nation was young and fearless, respected, loving, and caring. For me it created the roots and foundation for a time that can always be and perhaps will never be again. Standards were high, television stories provided lessons, movies told the greatness of our nation, and people were fearless, kind, strong, and virtuous, and silent in their giving, and expected nothing in return.
Now is the time for the next generation to determine how their lives will unfold and how much they will do for their future, families, and loved ones.
So with love, gratitude, and understanding, I hope and pray that goodness will come from the words I have tried to put down and feel that they may be powerful enough to give insight and understanding to others.
Both mom and dad were truly an inspiration as no one could ask for more. So thank you, Mom and Dad, for all the wonderful and unselfish acts of kindness throughout your life. (I only hope our children and our children’s children will see life in the same way).
Finally, I know that our own children will have a story they can call their own one day as well. I see many traits from the past, but more importantly I see new ideas, new innovations, and new ways of making a life for themselves in their world. So for this I am grateful!
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[image title=”Matilda” caption=” Matilda Mistretta Stafford “]https://binarybytes.com/d1/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/matilda.png[/image]
[image title=”Voyde” caption=”Voyde Wesely Stafford“]https://binarybytes.com/d1/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Voyde.png[/image]
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Love,
Dennis L. Stafford
(Aka Danny) 1947-20??