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Isn’t That What Family is All About?

By:  Melinda Micciola

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve said “if it weren’t for The AFA I don’t think I would have my children today”. It’s over 13 years now that I have counted my blessings for my daughter Vanessa and son Alex many, many times.

A few weeks ago, my daughter needed to interview an immigrant for a school project so we headed out to visit my dad, her grandfather Frank. He’ll be 90 in a couple of months but is still as vibrant and loving as he was when I was 13. Unfortunately, he had a stroke a few years ago and lives in an assisted living facility in New Jersey so the visits aren’t as often as we would like so he especially enjoys and cherishes the days the children can join me.

Vanessa sat right down and got to work asking the unending questions about every aspect of his childhood in Italy, his decision to come to the US and his journey and life here. She was amazed at how much he remembered and with such detail. My father couldn’t have been happier than to share his life with her while his daughter and only grandson, Alex, sat listening in the background. You see, he’s very sentimental and has been keeping a memory book for years now filled with pictures, clippings, letters, and mementoes that he hoped to pass along to someone who would cherish it. He was always concerned that no one was interested in keeping it even though I assured him many times that I would so this exchange and recounting of his life was very special to him.

As I sat quietly and watched my dad, with that familiar glint of pride and happiness in his eyes, and that ever so slight smile on his lips, share his life with his granddaughter, tears filled my eyes as I remembered the difficult journey of infertility so many years ago and I was reminded how it was all so worth it. There have been the traditional milestones along the way – the first step, birthdays, communions, graduations and on and on, but nothing struck me so deeply and tenderly as this – a memory I will always have and never forget.

When I was told I couldn’t conceive naturally and I needed IVF I was devastated. When I didn’t know what to do or where to turn or was unsure of a decision I had to make, The AFA was there to lead me in the right direction. The support and educational information I received was invaluable to me. So now, whenever I can, I donate to The AFA so that when someone else is faced with one of the worst diagnosis of their life, The AFA will still be there to help and guide them so that someday they too can share special moments with their children and loved ones.