The Memoir

What we remember depends on what mattered most—and who stood quietly beside us along the way.

This memoir began not from a predetermined plan, but from a pause—a moment to reflect on what had truly endured. Again and again, my thoughts returned to the people who shaped my life in subtle yet profound ways: family members, teachers, mentors, and neighbors whose steady presence left lasting marks.

They Made All the Difference is anchored in memory and gratitude. It traces my Italian-American family’s journey, my childhood in mid-century Los Angeles, and the values of faith, resilience, and belonging passed down through generations. These pages do not chronicle extraordinary achievements, but rather ordinary lives lived with care—and the small moments that, in hindsight, proved pivotal.

Writing this memoir became an act of listening closely to the past. Some memories surfaced fully formed; others emerged slowly, shaped by time and reflection. Together, they form a portrait of a life shaped less by singular turning points than by the accumulation of kindness, example, and love.