How time flies! I really enjoyed writing this column. So many of you want to know what it was like living in Little Italy and later what it was like going through the war — WWII.

We didn’t live in Little Italy long. We kept moving up Eagle Street. I vaguely remember living next door to the Cash family for awhile. Ange Cash was my sister Rose’s friend and her brother (baby brother) was my first boyfriend in second grade. Ange told Rose she found John upstairs counting stars. He told her maybe if he could count enough stars I would love him. Later on, he married Josie Notaro. They moved to California. As far as I know, they are both alive. Josie takes care of John. There aren’t too many of us left. As far as I know, I’m the only one visible.

What do I remember about WWII? I told you my brother Roddy (the dancer) joined the Merchant Marines and my brother Tony was a navigator in the Air Force. He was shot down and was on a raft for four days with three other guys before he was picked up by an English freighter. One of the boys died on the raft. Tony was lucky. He was the only one who survived and continued to serve.

While we were in the war, I was in high school. We had coupon books so we could buy meat and butter. We probably had more coupon books, but we only found those two. We also collected cans and turned them in at the store. We used our canning bottles over and over again. Everything was for the soldiers. I remember Bill Schibetta was the first of my brother’s friends to die. Vince Manzella was my friend, and he was taken prisoner. And if I remember, Sam Epolito from Westfield was taken prisoner, too. We were lucky. They all survived.

My brother Tony went back to school and started teaching. Later, he became a principal on Long Island. He used to greet every pupil by name every day. He said it was important that everyone was greeted by name and with a smile to start the day right. That was my brother Tony. He planned on retiring and going to teach at the Indian Reservation. His wife Ollie was going to teach art.

Tony met Ollie through me. We were going to Fredonia State College and I used to bring her home from time to time. The rest is history. They had two daughters and one son.

Tony loved scuba diving and that’s the way he died. They never got to teach the Indians. He always felt we treated them poorly and we owed them. We got word last week that Ollie passed away this past week.

There aren’t many of us from that generation left. That’s why I write this column. I feel we were lucky to live during that time and I was fortunate to belong to a fun, loving family. I’m trying to pass it on to you so that you can create the same kind of loving family.

We always think other people live like us and think like us. We’re wrong! I’d like you to examine yourselves. Do you have fond memories of happy growing up experiences? Are they fond memories you want your children to have? Make sure you are creating your children’s past by what you are giving them right now in their present! The present time is now. Now is the time to act and create happy memories. Look at my family — our son Rusty died at 30. Russ died in his 60s. They were both believers! Praise God!

If only I knew how to make my readers believers! So many are good, kind, caring and well-intentioned. If only they could see that Jesus gave His life unconditionally as payment for our sinful lives! He didn’t ask for anything. He gave His all — His life. We didn’t say anything, we didn’t give anything, we didn’t do anything. He did it all. Being good is wonderful, but it’s something we should do after we accept Him to show our thanks.

Please pray for us and your loved ones. Christmas is love. Make us be more loving! It pays big dividends.

Christmas is special.