Anonymous wrote:My grandparents were Polish immigrants raising 4 children in the suburbs of NYC in the 40s/50s.
They were working class but disciplined and dedicated to good values, and worked hard (even the mom worked outside of the home). They were extremely devoted to their Catholic church and traditions, and the kids were raised to be religious and good people with good work ethics. They worked hard to make sure all kids went to parochial school and college or more. The kids (my dad and his siblings) all were loving and devoted to their mother for life, even if they didn't get along with each other. They were devoted to their father too, even though he was old school mean.
Visiting them was all about food - lots of it! - church, and otherwise seemed pretty normal. My grandfather didn't ever learn to speak english well, and as I said he was stern and kind of mean. Very heavy handed with the kids, sometimes heartless. Sweet with grandkids. I think a lot of this is how he was brought up, which was unimaginably tough.
I agree with a PP that it was more about Catholicism than Polish heritage. I recall them LOVING Pope John Paul the II (is that right?) because he was Polish. My grandma was a sweet, sweet lady. I miss her. And her keilbasa and pierogis.
+1 I could have written this. Although my grampa was very nice.
They had 4 girls and 1 boy. In WW2 the boy was shot down over Holland and hidden by a Dutch family. Everyone thought he was dead. When he resurfaced, it was as if he could walk on water. So spoiled; they owned two houses next door to each other and gave him one. The other was to be kept for the four sisters (WTF?) He then fleeced my grandma in later years; took her $ which was for the sisters.
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