Most people will look at this and wonder how a basic, navy, striped shirt can have such significance on a person’s life, but this shirt is very significant to me for a good reason.  “The City of Water” and “The Floating City” were both names given to the mystifying island, Venice, Italy, where this shirt originates from. Venice is located just about two miles off the coast of Italy and is unique for its use of canals, rather than roads. As a result, this led to the creation of the gondola, a mini boat rowed by a person referred to as a “Gondolier”. Additionally, Gondoliers were the ones responsible for making this shirt so notorious and eventually spread its meaning and importance into my family. My grandpa and his ancestors originated in Corleone, a small village in Sicily, which is also not far off the coast of Italy. Prior to my birth, my grandpa vacationed to Venice and brought this shirt back to my mom, dad, and brother. When I was just about 2 years old, my grandpa passed away. Since I was never able to establish a connection to him at a young age, my family showed me this striped shirt years later so that I was able to connect with him.  Ultimately, she explained his life and the great significance he had on my family. Despite the fact that my family has no cultural relation to Venice, this Venetian shirt continues to carry a wonderful and extremely personal meaning in my family which, I believe, could not be replaced in any way more significant to me.

– Deanna LaGreca

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant