ŠTEFAN'S LIFE SO FAR

We are about to start a new chapter in Štefan’s life, but first let’s review his experiences so far: His father leaves him when he is about nine months old. He endures hardship during the First World War. His mother had to steal potatoes to feed him. She has to leave him when he is five years old. She then dies and he never gets to visit her grave. He lives with his grandparents who kick him out so he goes to live with his uncle. His father sends for him when he is eight years old, but he is turned back before he gets onto the boat. He is treated for a serious eye infection that could have caused blindness.

After such a hard start to life it amazes me that the Steve Miklo I knew was such a happy man. As a parent he would sometimes be angry with his children, but as I remember that was very rare. He worked hard so he was sometimes tired and a little withdrawn, but mostly I remember his warm smile and eagerness to tell a story.