Fifty years ago today, the Schepis family’s cruise liner arrived at the port of New York from Genoa. Mother, father, daughter, and son disembarked to begin their new life in a new country.
Their son (now my son-in-law), was the only family member who spoke even a little English; he was seven years old at the time, but he stepped up as the new family spokesman. It’s difficult for me to imagine how stressful that must have been, yet, he persevered.
When the family arrived in their new home, my son-in-law’s dad looked for work as a house-painter (his profession in Italy). I’ve heard their legendary stories about his dad, pedaling along on a bicycle, carrying a ladder and equipment, looking for work. I’ve listened to his dad tell story after story about their experiences; each time, I marvel at how it turned out.
The bicycle turned into one truck, then another; his company is still operating, led by my son-in-law (they’ve been married for 30 years). Our families have melded; we are one family now, thanks to that Atlantic voyage so many years ago.
America is, and always will be, a land of opportunity and hope for all.
Are we there yet? 