About the Author
I was born during a snowstorm in Elmont, Long Island to an emigrant Italian
father and a mother from South Philly. I had two older brothers and grew
up in a house that Dad built. Mom worked as a seamstress, doing odd jobs
for neighbors.
My childhood was a happy one, spent hiding out in trees and running through woods. Living in a poor family on a large piece of property, I helped with farming and collecting eggs from the chicken coop. This was a great experience, however, watching a chicken run around without its head, before becoming Sunday dinner, wasn’t my favorite sight. Our family lived off the land and I learned from this, which led me to my first paying job. At the age of nine I went to work on a farm a few blocks from home, picking string beans and earning twenty-five cents a bushel. For me, the greatest ‘pay’ was being able to ride the farm horses.
In my junior year of high school I was struck with Asian Flu, along with
many other children. People were dying of the illness and at times I thought
I was going to, also. The illness left me incapacitated, with fear of death,
anxiety, and panic attacks. I was very ill but didn’t realize how ill until
some thirty years later.
I once thought a person could do whatever, or be whomever they wanted, but
some where along the path I got side tracked, and never followed that thought.
Then in my forties I met someone who changed my life forever and moved to
Jupiter, Florida. It was then I started writing ‘Fears Flutterby’.
My wish is to write until I no longer have a breath. In ‘Fears Flutterby’ I wrote what was in my heart and soul. I believe all of us have a story hidden deep within and it should be told. I did it the best way I knew how. Some of you may read it for enjoyment and some of you may read it and think twice about your life. Above all when reading this story, I ask that you don't make any judgment unless you yourself be judged.
