Martha and Me: A Handicapped Child with a Purpose in Life

By Jane N. Vassil

Six-year-old Martha is smart, sassy, and speaks differently than those around her. She does not think anything is wrong with her, but unfortunately, the world does. During the day, her classmates tease her about the way she talks. At night, Martha retreats into her imagination and finds happiness in her pretend play as a teacher who loves all her handicapped students.

Martha has real dreams. She is a good child who helps her mother with chores around the house and loves listening to her babysitter, Rosa, tell fairytales. But when Martha’s teacher asks her to read her paper in front of the class one day, all the other students laugh and bully her. Martha is naturally devastated. She must learn to overcome her challenges, believe in herself, and practice kindness. But will she ever be able to find a friend who accepts her just as she is?

Martha and Me shares the touching story of a sweet little girl’s journey as she finds her purpose in life and teaches the world that being physically challenged does not define her, but instead makes her special.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Dec 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781480824577

Jane N. Vassil

As a native New Yorker born and raised in New York City as a Roman Catholic, I cherish life to its fullest. It’s the journey that excites me and enables me to choose a direction or re-direction each and every day in order to achieve my goals including happiness for myself and others that are part of my life or those I come in contact with. Attending the University of Life Experience-School of Hard Knocks-I have learned so much over the years. I just can’t get enough of what life has to offer each and every day. I am very happy and truly blest. I am grateful for every day and I continuously count my blessings for what I have not what I don’t. As a Christian woman I try to live my life according to God’s word and principles, whenever and wherever possible. I am far from being perfect, but I strive to do better and to be the person God wants me to be in a difficult and diverse world. As a former Human Resources Professional, I have been blessed to have worked for several organizations within different industries which have made a distinct impact on my life over the years. Collectively, I have worked for JCPenney Company, Inc. (Retail); McGraw-Hill, Inc. (Publishing); Quantum Chemical Corporation (Petro-Chemicals); Viacom (Media); and Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York (Healthcare). All of these work experiences along with my personal life experiences and my belief in God have contributed to the wealth of knowledge I have gained over the years. As a recent cancer survivor, I have a better understanding of what others go through and realize that life is precious and worth living so I try to make each day count and make the best of it, no matter what! This is what has made me the person I have become which is constantly evolving in this ever- so- changing world. Some of my favorite things are: listening to good music, singing out loud, looking at decorated Christmas trees and colorful holiday lights on windows that glisten in the evening skies, baking cookies, cakes and candy for all holidays’, waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, hearing silent night sung by the choir on the eve of Christmas during mid-night mass, daydreaming, collecting and wearing stylish and beautiful jewelry that shimmers and sparkles, reading a good novel while sipping on hot chocolate, having a great collection of pocketbooks especially Anuschka which means one of a kind, and individually hand painted with beautiful scenic designs, watching a great classic movie or a horror flick and sitting near a fireplace on a cold winter’s night watching the snow falling, the stars twinkling in the skies and dreaming of what’s to be!

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 Jane N. Vassil.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Archway Publishing

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-2456-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-2457-7 (e)

Archway Publishing rev. date: 12/15/2016

20584.png

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

IT’S ALL ABOUT MARTHA

MARTHA’S NEIGHBORHOOD

MARTHA’S DAYCARE PROVIDER

ROSA MEETS MARTHA

MARTHA’S DADDY

MARTHA HAS FUN WITH NICKEL AND ROSA

SCHOOL TIME

AFTER SCHOOL

IDA’S UNEXPECTED DAY OFF FROM WORK

THE PICNIC IN THE PARK

REMEMBERING MARTHA’S FATHER, JOHN

MR. JOE AND HIS ICE CREAM PARLOR

THE NEXT DAY-SUNDAY

VISITING CINDY’S HOUSE

DEDICATIONS

I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO MY TWO AMAZING WONDERFUL LITTLE GIRLS THAT I CARED FOR AND LOVED DEARLY BEFORE THEY WENT TO LIVE WITH THE LORD:

MY MAMA- EDYTHE IDA VASSIL

AND

MY AUNT- BEATRICE HALPIN

ADDITIONALLY, I LOVED AND ADMIRED MY WONDERFUL AUNT AND

GOD-MOTHER—ANNA VASSIL WHO IS ALSO IN GOD’S HANDS IN HEAVEN

MAY THEY ALL REST IN THE PEACE AND LOVE OF GOD

TO ALL MY ANGELS THAT GOD HAS ASSIGNED TO BLESS ME AND HELP ME ALONG MY LIFE’S JOURNEY

I WOULD THEN LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO ALL MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS:

CAROLINE PINTO, DANIELLE VASSIL-FROMM, MICHAEL PINTO AND ROBERT F. VASSIL

MAY THIS STORY (THAT I HAD CREATED FOR EACH OF THEM WHILE BABYSITTING) BRING BACK FOND MEMORIES REMINDING EACH OF THEM OF WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGSTERS.

AND LAST BY NOT LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE WHO HAS A HANDICAP, DISABILITY, INSECURITY, IMPERFECTION OR PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT THAT MAY DEPRIVE THEM FROM LIVING A FULL AND HAPPY LIFE.

AND FINALLY, DESPITE WHAT OTHERS MAY THINK OR SAY, BE TRUE TO YOURSELVES AND BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE. YOU ARE ALL SPECIAL AND UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS IN THIS WORLD. MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

How do I start? Where do I begin to thank so many people who have helped me, supported me and loved me throughout the process of getting this book together?

I would first and foremost like to thank and acknowledge my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for all the blessings he has bestowed on me throughout my life’s journey. Also, I would like to thank God for giving me so many precious gifts of love, laughter, a great family, good friends/neighbors and for the kindness, generosity and angelic spirit that lives within me. And finally, my most precious treasured gift of all is my beautiful and giving heart that I will cherish forever. Thank you Jesus!

I also would like to speak about a wonderful man that God had sent to me many years ago who has been an Angel to me as well as to my family and friends. His name is "Bhatti". His attentiveness and his caring and generous heart have been extremely invaluable. He has taught me many things along life’s way like patience, calmness and understanding. When I was faced with many of life’s difficulties, challenges and injustices, he was right there beside me all the way. I am forever grateful to him for all the time he gave of himself and all of his precious gifts to me. Bhatti, you are truly loved and respected by all who come in contact with you. Thank you for enriching my life. I love you. xxx ooo

My family has always been very important in my life. I am so proud to be part of the Moruzzi/Vassil family. To my Mama (Edythe Ida) and Dad (Robert Scott) along with my brother (Robert John) who are all currently living with the Lord in heaven, I thank you all for your love, support and celestial guidance. My other siblings, Judythe Pinto, my brother in law, Robert Pinto and my brother, Peter Thomas Vassil, I thank you too for all your love and support. I would also like to acknowledge all of my nieces and nephews along with their children: Michael/Lourdes Pinto who are the proud parents of Ava and Daniel; Caroline Pinto who is the proud mother of Logan and MacKenzie Licul; Danielle and Bryan Fromm who are the proud parents of Carly Rose and Brayden and finally Robert Francis and Laura Vassil who are the proud parents of Katelyn and Robert James. Danielle and Robert (Bobby) both are the children of my deceased brother Robert who was married to Marylou, my dear sister-in-law, who is currently living on Long Island.

All my Godchildren also need to be mentioned as they are all so special and precious to me for different reasons: Suzi Horwath- Marquez, Robert Francis Vassil, Nicole Noulas-Sotire, MacKenzie Licul, and Jaden B. Tapia. Love you all!

It would give me such great pleasure to list all the names of all my Aunts and Uncles as well as all of my cousins on both sides of my Italian and Greek families but it would take several pages since I have too many to include; so, I will say thank you all for making me feel loved and appreciated. I also want to personally thank each and every one of you for your continued love, respect and support throughout the years. I love you all! xo xo xo xo xo xo.

The following individuals I would personally like to thank for their help and contribution that each of them have made with regard to the development of Martha and Me. You’re all so amazingly wonderful!!!!

Julius (JC) Motal: for his contribution in helping to edit the manuscript in its preliminary stage. You’re very talented and a real sweetheart too! I love you!

Joan E. Olens: for helping me on occasion with editing the manuscript prior to the initial submission to the publisher. Your patience, willingness and kindness were greatly appreciated. God bless you Joan!

Tria Higgins: for providing all the illustrations for Martha and Me (including the cover). She has made my visions come alive on paper. Thank you very much for your hard work and talent!

Robert (Rob) Landau: my attorney friend who is an incredible man whose advice is priceless and his friendship is very precious to me. You are very much appreciated and loved. You’re the greatest!!!!!

Linda Stein: who sleeps in Heaven, my former neighbor and friend who first read my manuscript and encouraged me to pursue submission to the publisher for print so the world could enjoy Martha as she did. Thank you