Synopsis
Her family spared from ethnic cleansing in the Istria region of what was then Italy during World War II, Nadia Steffé’s family tries to get passage to the United States, but the quota is met and they must opt for Canada instead. Nadia Steffé shares her memories of her beloved homeland before it was incorporated into Yugoslavia, emigrating to Canada and growing up among the other immigrant communities. Eventually she finds love, but can she ever find a new country to fill the void in her heart? And what happens when she tries find the Istria of her youth, once full of singing and laughter? Join Nadia Steffé traveling through Europe, sailing across the Atlantic and finally making it to the United States. . . through war, illness and heartbreak, just searching for peace, love and a place to call Home.
About the Author
I spent my youngest years in post WWII Italy with the memories and pictures of the cruelty of war. Then with luck and prayers my family and I were recognized as war refugees and started the long process of leaving that war-torn area for a peaceful country not without much pain and heartache. Leaving your native land is never easy. Family, friends, belongings - all must be left behind with the knowledge that perhaps all may never be seen, held, kissed again. The travels that followed are carefully described and the heart and soul of all of us, as refugees, are opened for all to see and learn from. The anguish at leaving behind all that is loved; the fear of the unknown country, the wonder of how the citizens of another land may or may not accept us; the difficulty of learning a new language and new ways and customs all weighed heavily on our thoughts. Through all the difficulties - including my time spent fighting tuberculosis - with faith and love for each other we persisted and lived through to better times. The life lessons of tolerance, especially for and by people of different backgrounds; assimilation, by accepting and learning new customs new languages; and acceptance and forgiveness, for the few mistreatments by some locals were well learned and internalized. This made us all even more acceptable of others no matter what race, religion and language and country they came from. I, as well the rest of the family, continued and found new homes and new places to love and enjoy. Yet always our Native Land remained a part of us and a missing link in our hearts. As an adult with a new family of my own I kept all this alive in my mind. After the many requests to write the story I finally found the time and resolve to put all this down on paper. In the past I wrote and published on E-books some children's stories dedicated to my grandchildren; some poems that have been noted, like the one "My Home" included in this book and "That Lady friend of Mine" that won me an award. Now in what should be my retirement I spend my days enjoying my new home in Florida, my garden and continuing to write and hope to publish more of the many poems already written and more as the muse will dictate. This book is meant as an enjoyment of all life, a source of encouragement to all to keep and record and share life's history, for each life is unique and beautiful in its own way.
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