Amanda Furno

Professor Harper
October 4, 2015
Intergenerational Interview Summary & Reflection

I dont think I have, followed by a grin and a heartwarming chuckle. This was the
reaction I received after asking my beloved Aunt MaryAnn when she truly grew up. If there is
anything I can hope for is to have the abundance of bliss and the ability to keep my spirit light
enough to be gifted to respond to this question similarly when I am 72. With a list packed of
questions I looked into the eyes of a woman I have the upmost respect and love for, learning
cherished information I had never taken the time to appreciate before. I never truly got to know
my grandparents, instead of having resentment for this I attempt to find the blessing in the family
members who have occupied these roles in my life. Through her wisdom and affection My Aunt
MaryAnn is the closest thing I have to a grandmother. They say the apple doesnt fall far from
the tree, and I can only dream this statement turns out to be factual. Taking the time to appreciate
her understanding of life verified to me, if I can be anything like this exceptional woman I will
have justly found elation and lived a fulfilling existence.
From Long Island to Maryland and now to Delaware, this unique perspective of the
Eastern Shore is a significant reason I choose to interview my aunt. 50 years in Maryland, 21 of
them on the Eastern Shores Kent Island, now my aunt and her husband recently relocated further
down the Delmarva to Lewes, Delaware. She said to me I think most people go back to the
place they were born and raised because that is the most impressionable time of your life, I
love the eastern shore because it reminds of where I grew up in Long Island. The grounds, the
water, and the beaches. It all reminds me of home. We never lived in Silver Spring or those

Amanda Furno
Professor Harper
October 4, 2015
Intergenerational Interview Summary & Reflection
places we always trended towards the Eastern Shore. This statement provides an additional
perspective of the Eastern Shore we all call home. We all seem to have our own meaningful
connections that tie us to the shore and that have turned this abode into our homes. While my
aunt did not truly grow up on the Eastern Shore she raised a family, owned a successful business,
and made treasured memories here. The power of the Eastern Shore is shown in that not all
people grow up here but many find deep adoration and draw to the area that band them here,
making it their new homes.
Water, beaches, crabs, that kind of thing. This is what the eastern shore is to my aunt.
These are aspects of the shore most of us admire, but all know are degrading and disappearing.
The land is shrinking, the water and marine life is declining, and the beaches are eroding. My
Aunt recalled twenty one years ago when she first moved to Kent Island we went from ridding
down route eight waving to people back and forth and taking about eight minutes to drive eight
and half miles to an average of eighteen minutes to drive the same millage. She believes this
example of the overpopulation issue on the shore is a significant factor of the disappearance of
the Delmarva. The development and crowding of the area is just a reality that happens with
population growth in her opinion. She shed a positive light on the disappearance of the Delmarva
by stating just enjoy what you have left of the area and do the best with it. Aunt MaryAnn
demonstrated the simplicity of appreciating things for what they are; the world is destined to
change so we should revel in the shore as it is while we are welcome to do so.

Amanda Furno
Professor Harper
October 4, 2015
Intergenerational Interview Summary & Reflection
Fads come and go but family is forever. Times were different for my aunt when she was
growing up, she recalled the popular ducktail haircut and rebellious action of shaving off her
eyebrows. She shared recollections of dancing to juke box tunes at the old soda shop, riding
bikes to her friends houses, the strict policies of catholic school, and weekends spent outdoors
and at the dinner table with family. Her responsibilities were large and her devotion to her
parents, four brothers, husband, and children were remarkable. She had her first child when she
was 19, and she experienced the decline of her parents health and their deaths as a young
woman. Nearly every conversation we shared returned to family because to her you dont have
anything if you dont have family. Many aspects of life change with time; her dreams, her
aspirations, her worries but the importance of family is one that never regressed. With tears
welling in her eyes, My Aunt said to me, I had eight miscarriages, that was probably the hardest
time of my life. I saw a woman who went through the pain of losing her parents and her
children, but did not let this make her bitter. Through faith and love she discovered hardship
teaches you when you lose family and dear friends it never heals but you have to believe they are
in a better place. Sheer wisdom and raw emotion was present when I asked about my
grandparents. With a smile on her face and a distant look in her eyes as she went to a place of
remembrance in her mind all she said at first was oh. I could feel the adoration and observe her
face flood with several emotions as she recalled these two. I never met them, but the look on my
aunts face alone could verify they were truly exceptionable. To me this was one of the most
beautiful aspects of this assignment. I am confident my parents can feel that love from me every

Amanda Furno
Professor Harper
October 4, 2015
Intergenerational Interview Summary & Reflection
day I am glorified to spend with them, and I dream of the day I can look into my own childrens
eyes and see that pure form of love.
At 17 my mom thought she had a tumor. It turned out to be Tony the tumor. One of the
stories that can never be shared too often in my family is the tale of Tony the tumor. My grandma
was nineteen when she had my Aunt Maryann, the oldest of 5. At 38 she was convinced she had
a stomach tumor. To her surprise the tumor turned out to be her 4th child, my father Tony. To this
day the story is passed down through the generations, leaving us all with a sense of connection to
my grandma. Tony the tumor is a passed down tale that is always told with genuine love in the
eyes of the teller and never fails to put a smile on all of our faces. The passing of my
grandparents is something that my Aunt MaryAnn, my father, and their siblings still feel deeply.
The wound has never healed but stories such as this one keep the memory of their beloved
parents alive and the blessing of family present.
My research project is going to be focused on changes in small town life. Concentrations
on changes in parenting, local attitudes, past times, careers, education, faith, and marriage will be
included. When asking my aunt about parenting she was quick to say Parenting has gotten to
soft. I would have never gotten away with how kids act now and neither would have my kids.
She went on to explain how many children act out and are not disciplined. She believes her and
her brothers parenting are very reflective of their own parents. One of the most interesting
responses my aunt gave was when asked how peoples attitudes have changed. I think people
are hard. Theyve hardened. People are not just unhappy but angry, that bothers me a lot because

Amanda Furno
Professor Harper
October 4, 2015
Intergenerational Interview Summary & Reflection
to me I grew up in a happy world where you had god, your country, and people you could trust.
And I dont see that anymore. That is really sad. She brought up thought-provoking points that
loss of faith, leaders who care about us not only their power, and disloyalty have changed our
society.
Exercise, golf, family, the New York Yankees, and my husband most of the time are my
aunts five most favorite things. After this experience my five favorite things about my aunt are
her wisdom, courage, self-knowledge, glee, and love. My eyes have been opened to the deeper
meanings and understandings of life that come with age. Every question I asked it was as if my
aunt expected them, she had no hesitations or reservations. Confidently responding to each and
every question she demonstrated her contentment and knowledge of herself and her life that I
strive to have in myself one day. My Aunt MaryAnn wants to be remembered for being a good a
person that her family cares about and that she lived a good life. This humbling experience will
allow me to remember her for this and much more. I will remember her as the astonishing
woman who overcame hardship and became an outstanding daughter, sister, wife, mother,
grandmother, but most importantly my aunt.