Yiayia's Journey Part 4

Though my Greek grandfather 'Papou' promised to never take Yiayia from the island, it was a vow he couldn't keep. The Greek economy was weak. The Great Depression was destroying his investments in America. So in 1933, he returned to the US post haste to manage them personally. Yiayia and baby Chrysanthy followed in a life changing journey.

I often wonder - what was it like for her to leave behind the security of that tiny Greek village? In the blink of an eye, she who had only ever traveled by her donkey 'Keecho' would now journey by ship. (And poor Yiayia was seasick the entire way.) And when she finally gazed upon that bustling, foreign, and intimidating land of opportunity, how did she feel? 

The level of sacrifice and hardship that immigrants like Yiayia would endure is unfathomable. Yet to envision her name 'Penelope Conomos' written on an Ellis Island document of admittance into the United States is truly humbling. As my Yiayia fondly says - "such is the life" - and thus the human spirit has no choice but to adapt and endure. 

This postcard shows the ship that carried Giagia and baby Chysanthy (my aunt) from Greece to America.

Ellis Island. The names Penelope, John, and Chrysanthy Conomos are written on documents of admittance into the USA.

Yiayia has loved gardening since she was a little girl. To this day, she still tends her garden, grows her own vegetables, and picks fruit from her rees at her house. She is self sufficient.

And so upon their happy reunion at the port, my grandparents began to do just that. The peasant girl who had only ever traveled by donkey, then later by ship, would soon board a train toward their ultimate destination - a rented home in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Though vastly altered, their cycle of life continued. Papou worked in his diner 'The Busy Bee'. Yiayia cared for Chrysanthy, befriended other immigrants at their local Greek Orthodox Church, and struggled to adapt to American culture. 

But ultimately, it would be years before she could speak English or learn to drive a car. Often feeling alone and isolated, Yiayia dreamed of a time she could return to Greece to see her dear mother. But money was scarce and the subsequent World War II made travel impossible. 

So it would be -18- long years before she would set eyes on that beloved face again. Yet a moment of hope soon arrived with the birth of their second daughter. They lovingly christened her 'Damiani' after Yiayia's mother. But it wouldn't be long before tragedy arrived at their door.