"I AM: Proud" --Writers Share Love of Family Members and Heritage

Photo from Freepic

Ed.: As part of Studio B Art Gallery's "I AM: Proud" project, local writers and artists were encouraged to respond to the theme. Family members surfaced as a source of pride; a recognition of one's "proud heritage" triggered feelings of pride in others. Writers expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to honor those they loved and their lifelong impact.

by Patricia Petrowicz*

A Loving Tribute

I called him Daddy then
Appreciate him still more now

How do I describe a man
Who so greatly influenced my life

Tall, handsome, intelligent, strong
Provider, protector, expert planner

Skilled and meticulous carpenter
Successful gardener, deep thinker

Organized life at his desk
Handled finances astutely

Kind and gentle in disposition
Yet able to discipline wisely

Demonstrated the best in manhood
Treated me like a princess

My dad loved and cared for me
I married a man much like him

So glad I was able to tell him
Many times before he died
How grateful I was and still am
That he was my dad.
My very special gift from God.

* Patricia Petrowicz is a wife, mother, and former junior high social studies teacher. In retirement she tries to keep her mind, body, and spirit exercised and fit. Patricia exudes a love of life through a deep and abiding faith.

********

by Sandra Williams*

Proud of My Heritage

When I attended Catholic elementary school, among other things I learned about “the seven deadly sins,” one of which was pride. “Pride” in that context meant a grand, arrogant sense of self that gives “permission” to treat others in controlling and harmful ways—maybe even deadly! Aside from the religious connotations of Pride, there also seems to be a stigma associated with being proud of and/or demonstrating pride in who we are, what we do or have accomplished—maybe out of caution to be as modest and humble as we “should” be. However, expressing our pride in the good of our lives and letting our little (or large) lights shine, is a positive experience, both in the sharing, and hearing from others. Such stories can motivate us to do even better and inspire others with what is possible.

Unfortunately, there is still criticism of those who have come a long way with enormous obstacles and challenges to be able to say they are proud of who they are. In the late 60s/early 70s, various groups were encouraged to embrace and even celebrate their heritage, individuality, race, gender and/or ethnicity and to work toward equality to counter how they were perceived, portrayed and/or discriminated against. “Black is beautiful” was a slogan; women spoke about breaking the “glass ceiling” and not being seen as sex objects; Native Americans made known the many problems confronting reservation tribes; gay and lesbian folks were coming out of “hiding,” challenging criminalization and/or shaming of their sexual orientation.

For what seemed like the first time, in so many spheres, people felt free to feel pride and express it. Now, Studio B has given us the opportunity to share what we are proud of, and I cannot wait to learn what others take pride in. I had never really thought to speak or write about what I am proud of, though I have often felt pleased in many areas of my life.

Right off, I thought of pride in my husband Robert’s having been a combat artist in Vietnam and all of the body of soulful and masterful work he has created since. I am proud of our two sons’ natural abilities and acquired skills, now working in professions they love and in which they are able to support themselves and their families. I feel pride that I was able to earn a BA and MA while working and raising a family. I am proud of my country’s laws and institutions that, while they may need monitoring and improvement always, are still working to identify and bring to justice those who would dismantle what has been built and fought for. I am proud of my community’s many initiatives working for the common good—focusing on our similarities, rather than our differences, providing informative, creative, cultural, educational activities and events, such as Studio B and others have.

But I had to give much thought to what I was most proud of. After reflecting further, I can say: I am most proud of my heritage—both paternal and maternal grandparents who emigrated to America from Italy in the early 1900s. They left everything behind—never to return again to home and homeland, family, friends, neighbors, cultural roots. What they did bring with them was courage, fortitude, and faith that they would succeed in their desire and need for a better life. How?

By working hard and long, enduring whatever it took to orient themselves in a new world, at first speaking no English and with no highly marketable skills. My paternal grandfather worked as a janitor in a school outside of Philadelphia. My maternal grandfather worked in a shoemaker’s shop. Both grandmothers raised children, kept house, made meals, baked bread, planted and maintained gardens, put up the harvest for the winter, made the children’s clothes, and much more. They had no luxuries, no sick days, no vacations, no “time off.” Their homes were heated only by fireplaces or pot belly stoves, and there were no full bathrooms, but their homes were cozy and we were welcomed with open arms. They, as most Immigrants (even now if possible) became part of an existing ethnic community which supported their transition in many ways.

I am so proud that I come from such a heritage (as many of us do)—from souls with adventurous, but necessary bravery and determination (and probably lots of fear and anxiety) to work toward a better future, becoming American citizens, taking the opportunities available. And they did make the best of life—little by little. No matter the challenges, obstacles and setbacks, they carried on. In doing so, they helped make America a more perfect union, built by the “tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” They were welcomed under the “lifted lamp” of the Statue of Liberty “beside the golden door!”

America was the “golden door,” hopefully, not yet too tarnished to remember the huddled masses—those, who given the opportunity in dire circumstances, can demonstrate extraordinary strength and perseverance. They were grateful, as we are, that they endured, sacrificed and passed on the values of education, a work ethic, faith, hope, kindness, and love. Of course, the greatest of these is love.

Now, in only the third and fourth generations since their arrival, their extended families have that better life they had envisioned. I am so very proud to be a descendant of such heroic stock.

Grazie mille (many thanks) to my grandparents: paternal - Elsa Arnone and Giuseppe Rotondo, and maternal - Mini and Ricardo Speranza. And to my husband Robert’s grandparents: paternal - Maria Martino and Antonio DiGuglielmo and maternal from Poland - Wielkie dzięki! (many thanks) - Stephania Suchodolski and Witold Skowronski.

And thank you to Studio B for the opportunity to honor them here, and for many of us to share and to hear about our sources of pride.

*Sandra Williams shares her inspirations. A writer of poetry, essays and short stories, she believes writing is both therapeutic and enlightening— “When we become aware of what inspires us, we expand our imagination and tap into our intuitive selves.” She collaborates with her husband, Robert, local landscape and mural painter, promoting community arts. She is the author of the historical novella, Moss on Stone and Time and Tide: collection of Tales.

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