Avanti!
Tales of Love and Survival
By: Margaret Mayo Gibson, Ed. D.

The story begins in a world without television, internet, iPads, or supermarkets; where blackberries were only fruit and children had time for play. This is a story many immigrants could tell. They survived with the same resources: hard work, determination, a community of family and faith in God.

In PART ONE read to discover the similarities and differences in the wilderness times your ancestors and mine overcame to find the American dream.

In PART TWO read about struggles and hardships in the twenty first century. People have “wilderness times” in their lives today. Current survival stories can provide hope and strength for those of us in the twenty first century.

In PART THREE, the reader will discover the many ways in which people of Italian descent made a positive difference on society. Although several people are named, it is only a sample of Italians who made a positive impact on our world.

Everyone has a story. After seeing stories shared here, hopefully readers will be encouraged to share their stories with others.