THE MESSAGE:
An unwanted birth is a disaster. A birth that is not planned or expected can also become a problem if the parents fail to realize that the child now becomes more important than either of them. If the parents are requiring a boost to their egos, a baby cannot do that for them. Once the attention and congratulations from family and friends has waned; the baby's needs take over. The newborn baby is totally dependant on the parents. Working together and supporting each other is crucial to sound development.
MY HERITAGE:
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| GIACINTA (AUNT), GERARDO'S SISTER |
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| FIORINI FARM IN SCIFELLI, GERARDO'S BIRTHPLACE |
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| GIUSEPPE FIORINI (FAVORITE UNCLE), GERARDO'S BROTHER |
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| SAN FILLIPO DEL MELA, CATTAFI SICILY ANGELINA'S BIRTHPLACE |
By no means were my parents educated or enlightened! Schooling ended after 2 years when the hardships of farm life in small Italian villages precluded such distraction. There was little or no time for friends, play or self-indulgence. My knowledge of their childhood and development was gleaned only through a spattering of stories and anecdotes told to me by my parents, aunts and uncles.
My dad was an 'Alpini' (Alpine Ski Patrol) in the Italian army in WWI. He lied about his age and enlisted when he was 16 because of the poverty and harshness at home.
My mother Angelina, was dispatched at age 13 to live with and administer to an ailing aunt who needed constant care.
Both of them emigrated to Canada, separately, at an early age. My mother was sponsored and brought to this country by her older sister when she was 15. My father Gerardo, was sponsored by a Canadian labour shortage program. He agreed to work on a farm in the Toronto area in exchange for his voyage costs, room and board on the farm and $10 for the year. He arrived at Ellis Island in New York at age 23. 
Mom was put to work in her sister Anna's and brother-in-law Tony's grocery store near Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto.
Dad travelled by ship to Halifax and then by train to Toronto where he was met by a Newmarket farmer
I do not take enough time to say thank you to my parents for the sacrifices they made and the love they managed to instil in our family. They began married life taking over the business market on Yonge Street. This involved 7 days a week working an average of 14 hours a day. They were forced to leave this location by an unscrupulous landlord and found a new location for a grocery market at 2463 Yonge Street. Eventually, after a 3 year stop at 108 Hillhurst Blvd, they moved into one of the six store fronts that my father had built on Avenue Road in Toronto and opened a new market at 1903 Avenue Rd. Our family lived in the apartment above the store.
By the time Mom was able to retire I was 12 years old. We had moved into a new home, built by my father and Uncle Tony at 368 Spring Garden Avenue in Willowdale. Angelina enjoyed her retirement and looked after the household until at 54 years of age she lapsed into a coma and never regained consciousness. She passed away 8 years later. Gerardo took up house building and retired two years before I was married.
They made their own rules. Ones that they themselves were forced to accept. There were no time outs or toy removals or groundings for a week. Discipline came in the form of a boot, a cuff or an escort by the scruff of the neck. They carved out a life that they believed in; never wavered from its objectives; never hesitated from doubt or failed to accept any of the challenges that they encountered along the path.
I honour their memory, acknowledge their sacrifice, appreciate their work ethic, and forgive them for the harsh discipline. I know that I deserved whatever I received from Angelina's and Gerardo's 'Department of Corrections'. They are the ones who made it possible for me to find a loving partner and enjoy my wonderful children and incredible grandchildren.
I LOVE AND MISS YOU MOM AND DAD!
THE QUESTION:
THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION!
THE LAURELS:
YOU GUESSED IT!
ANGELINA DIPAOLA FIORINI AND GERARDO FIORINI
THE QUOTE:
"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life."RICHARD BACH
THE CLIP:
1 comment:
Hello, I was researching scifelli and my last name Fiorini and came across this blog. There is a picture of the Fiorini Farm and the house in the picture looks similar to the house my father was born in and where my grand parents lived. My grandfather's name is Armando Fiorini whom I'm named after. He was the last one of all his clan to live there until my father Franco sold it in 2003. The names of your father and uncles sound familiar. I've been to this farm if it is the same one and walked the land where my grandparents worked the land. I'm just curious if it is the same homestead.
Kind Regards
Armando Fiorini
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