Joe Nesser represented John Travolta's character in *Grease*, while my mother, Celia, mirrored Sandy, who ultimately became his girlfriend. They both hailed from very different backgrounds. My mom had a cat with a bell, reminiscent of an aristocrat, while my dad had a scrappy alley cat with one eye. 🤣
My mother's family owned a deli on Saratoga Avenue in Rochester, New York, where she enjoyed a variety of foods—from lobster to steak—and was quite pampered by her parents. In stark contrast, my father grew up in a poor household. His father worked as a mason, and his mother suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, unable to work. To help make ends meet, my father started caddying at 17 to contribute to the electric bill. He worked at the Genesee Valley club golf course almost on a daily basis during high school.
If he hadn’t met my mother, it’s likely he’d have ended up in jail or worse, tangled in street fights. Together, they built a life over 48 years of marriage, raising five sons and welcoming ten grandchildren, plus one great-grandson. Excitingly, another great-grandchild is on the way this year!