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Re:Ceil
Thank you for your spot-on comments. Also, some people are inherently more interested than others about family traditions and history. Many, many people I know wish they had asked and learned more from their elders while they were still on this earth, myself included, though I could only pester so much... 
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 26, 2016 at 9:00 PM
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If it's any comfort,
delving into the sources of western European and American traditions discovers deep Roman roots. But I also have to wonder if it is really necessary to give up the traditions that immigrants bring with them, and celebrate to keep a connection with older homes. I suspect it is the young who are eager to blend more, and fail to value what their parents and grandparents celebrated, and finally forget how--and start looking for elders who can teach them before it's too late and the connection is lost.
posted by
Ciel
on June 26, 2016 at 5:30 AM
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Re: TAPS
Thanks so much. As I said, I almost pulled it. "Bohunks," a term used with much affection in my family. It must have been such fun. My mother recalled Polish/Eastern European family fun times. You must keep those memories alive for your descendants, I think.
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 25, 2016 at 12:37 PM
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Re: TAPS
I, too, did the same. Then a friend in Argentina gently reminded me that they in South America are also part of the Americas; hence, Americans. Thank you.
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 25, 2016 at 12:32 PM
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Re: BC-A
Yes, they did, or rather, we did!
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 25, 2016 at 12:30 PM
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I love this post. For me it was the Bohemian/Czech community in Richmond, MO. Those who were not part of that community called it "Dogtown" and called the people "Bohunks". But it was a wonderful community and I loved it. It is now all gone...the music, the dancing, my grandpa's accordian, my uncle's fiddle, the embroidered skirts and aprons and the peasant blouses, the houskas, the knedliky (Czech dunplings with sauerkraut), the hugs, the fun, and all the kin. All that's left that can speak a few words are me and my two sisters. We have lots of wonderful memories.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 25, 2016 at 12:27 PM
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I like your comment at the end. I automatically write American, then I have to back track and change it to USA if that is more appropriate. I never used to think about that until I became so friendly with several Canadians here on Blogit.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 25, 2016 at 12:14 PM
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🍰So, they woke up assimilated in America love. BC-A, Bill’s R👀 st
posted by
BC-A
on June 25, 2016 at 7:18 AM
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Re: Nautikos
Well, thanks Naut! That's good to hear. To express what I saw in their faces would take much more time than is reasonable to post here. Yes, the diminished importance of extended family is happening in the Western countries, even Italy, as you say, but perhaps, just perhaps, it isn't too late...
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 24, 2016 at 11:47 PM
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Re: anibanerjee
Thanks, anibanerjee, so much. You know, I think they never forgot, as long as they lived; just kept it to themselves unless we prodded.
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 24, 2016 at 11:31 PM
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RP
You've expressed it well - very well, in a few passages - the migrant's inevitable loss of what is left behind, and the sense of regret. But the importance of the extended family is diminishing in all Western countries now - even in Italy...
posted by
Nautikos
on June 24, 2016 at 10:16 PM
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Hi Presta
The depiction of trails and travails of the settlers, their ebullience in one day becoming successful, one day becoming 'Mericans, without forgetting or even wistfully remembering the losses of the near and dear ones in the process, is all so powerfully captured with pathos and jubilance, all at once. Very good work, Presta dear.
posted by
anib
on June 24, 2016 at 9:19 PM
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Re: WileyJohn
Thanks, Wiley. I almost pulled it. It would have been a tough time to be there, for sure. And what a lovely memory you have of the ship and boats... A few distant members of my mom's family live there now.
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 24, 2016 at 8:13 PM
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Re: Kabu
I have relatives, or had relative, in Australia on my Italian side. Wonder if they also felt displaced and eventually assimilated? You family going back to England would be much the same as if a US family who had settled this country returned "home" to England. Not the same now!
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 24, 2016 at 8:10 PM
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Re: FSI
There is one big difference from today's version of what so many call diversity: my family was grateful to come here, considered it a priviledge to be here and wanted to become assimilated into this society. They did not want to be diverse, or recognized as such. :)
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 24, 2016 at 8:00 PM
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RPresta
Realistic and true to life and I am happy I didn't grow up in Ireland amongst all the hate and killings and religion and guilt. Sure, my prettiest memory of Ireland was of our ship pulling into a cove and the wee boats motoring out to sell lace and whisky to all of us on board, no sight of the misery.Nice posr love.
posted by
WileyJohn
on June 24, 2016 at 10:53 AM
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I was married into a Greek family...they always missed Greece yet when back there, they felt displaced, they didn't belong. Everyone's life had changed so much and the next and the next generations only took from the Greek culture what suits them. They are Australian without realizing it.
And my parents...their Grandparents made the pioneer voyage to Australia yet I as 4th generation Australian was told we would one day go home to England...we did...we were not English!
posted by
Kabu
on June 24, 2016 at 10:05 AM
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Prose that will make one think about diversity.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on June 24, 2016 at 9:33 AM
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Re: CCT
There is a certain sadness in the mood of this, but not all of the story is sad. To answer to your question, it could be done through the use of humor, I think, and there was plenty of that, though not told in this piece.
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on June 24, 2016 at 7:19 AM
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This somehow makes me feel sad. I think most people become assimilated into the culture of the host country sooner than one would imagine possible. Memory maybe is lulled into the feeling of what life could have been, possibly wistfully at times. How can one equate harsh reality with the softness of longing.
posted by
C_C_T
on June 24, 2016 at 6:29 AM
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