It Was Always You and Me

Joseph DiProspero loses his mother tragically at age 4, then his father by age 13. Now an orphan, Joseph and his brothers have no choice but to live with their older sisters and their sons, facing a life of poverty. Joseph manages to stay in school where he meets “Anna,” a waif-like blonde beauty. Before long, Anna and Joseph become high school sweethearts and she introduces him to her family. They are stunned by his unfortunate circumstances and “rescue” him from certain destitution.

As the U.S. enters World War II, Joseph enlists in the Army and fights for his country. Anna, against her parents’ wishes, elopes to Washington state to marry the love of her life. She conceives a child, but their joy turns to grief when their daughter is stillborn. After the death of their only daughter, Anna is no longer able to have children. They decide to adopt, and destiny gives them their only daughter, Diane.

Joseph’s childhood struggles prove to be the beginning of his many hardships and, although he and Anna now have their family, Anna has her own demons. Together, Joseph and Diane form an unbreakable and heroic bond as they try to help Anna survive her storms.

Then, decades later, a shocking twist of fate changes Diane’s life forever.

A father/daughter story of loyalty, adoption, addiction and resilience, and a love that triumphs all.

Diane DiProspero-Cook grew up in Rochester in Upstate New York. She and her husband Rick live with two adorable pups, a Shorkie and a Havapoo. They have two grown daughters. Their oldest daughter is married, with her master's degree from Utica College and works in the field of health care and medical coding. Their youngest daughter is a Niagara University graduate engaged to be married and is employed as a nurse in the PACU department, currently. Diane is, at long last, finishing her bachelor's degree in English literature, from SUNY Brockport College. She enjoys reading, cooking, biking, working out, traveling, theatre, and spending time with family and friends. It Was Always You and Me is her first book, a memoir and tribute honoring her father, Joseph, and her entire adoptive family. She is especially close to and cherishes her many wonderful cousins and close friends. Recently, she was thrilled to find and connect with several newfound biological siblings.She hopes this story will touch your heart and encourage all those who grew up in families whose loved ones battled addiction and the children who became adult survivors.