Thank You for the Shoes: the story of an extraordinary ordinary man

by Raffaela Marie Rizzo

Thank You for the Shoes

the story of an extraordinary ordin ary man

       This story is based on the life of a man named Michelangelo Rizzo, known as Michele to his family and later Mike to everyone else. It reads like a novel and spans eighty years, two continents and several U.S. states.  The story opens in 1909 as this thirteen-year-old fatherless boy leaves his hometown of Platania in the mountains of southern Italy on a solo journey to find the grave of the man whose blood runs in his veins, a man he cannot possibly remember. Through flashbacks, we come to understand the circumstances and challenges faced by Mike’s father and millions of others who were part of a thirty-year migration to the Americas in the late 1880s and early part of the Twentieth Century.

       The story traces Mike’s journey to the new world and the various detours and challenges he encounters along the way. From the port of New York, to the steel mills and coal mines of Pennsylvania; then on to a road building project along Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio, and finally arriving in the state where his father is buried and where he settles, Connecticut, Mike’s journey is filled with joy, love, loss, tragedy and triumph of spirit. 

       This unusual boy grows into manhood and to old age answering only to God. With determination and a wellspring of goodness, Mike delights in the joy and gifts of a gentle woman, the birth of their four daughters. After the tragic amputation of his right arm, and the sudden loss of his wife, he faces the threat of his children being taken away. Working day and night, he struggles to care for them alone. Through unwavering commitment and sheer persistence, he manages to keep them together.

       When they are grown and married, just at a time when he could relax and enjoy life, he returns to his homeland for the first time. He is moved by the impoverished plight of four fatherless children and their beautiful mother to take on a second family, after more than twenty years as a widower. He revels in the birth of a fifth daughter and finally a son who carries his name. 

       Because records were lost in a fire, he is foiled at every turn to find his father’s gravesite. Instead, he finds other priceless treasures along the way. An imperfect man, with a stubborn streak, a head full of hope, a heart full of faith and a zest for living, Mike leaves an everlasting marker on his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and all those whom he meets along the way.

      

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2015

Reviews

[Marta Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compelling book, Thank You for the Shoes, spoke right to my heart. It is one American immigrant’s story, against all the odds, to seek a better life. The same rich offer of America’s better life is what brought my own Italian Grandparents to the shores of Ellis Island in the early 1900’s.Thank You for the Shoes, is for anyone who has a desire to go deeper into the emotional roots of what might of inspired, not only your ancestors but also those immigrants of today still seeking the same hope and freedom. I invite you to read this remarkable story of an ordinary man who represents the fortitude and character that is woven into the fabric of America.

[DonnaLee Overly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart warming story about an Italian immigrant and the struggles he faced coming to a strange land with no money and unable to speak English. The story is based on the author’s family. It will make you cry and also rejoice as you are drawn into the story and pull for the character.

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the pick for this month’s book club at my church. It really could have benefited from some serious editing, and it read like something that was self-published. I’m glad to be done with it.

[Pam Dent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from the writting itself, this book was a wonderful read. Full of love for family, and his new country, Mike was a positive, hard working man who never gave up on reaching his goals in America. His dedication in keeping his family together was touching. I loved seeing this mans life unfold page after page in this story. What a remarkable person he was.

[Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story of an Italian Immigrant

This book depicted the true plight of an Italian immigrant in the early 1900s. It was a heartfelt memoir written by the main character's daughter and was therefore filled with both facts and emotional insight. The prose were a bit choppy, but the sentiment came through loud and clear.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked parts of the story and felt like this man had an incredible work ethic that is almost gone nowadays. But I wish the author would have explained at the first her relationship to him. Most of the book was very slow and I would lose track of all the relatives and children... just so many names to remember.

[Ann Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt this is one of the best books I have ever read!!! A true story of an exceptional man and his family - emotional and inspiring!!

[Amber Alleman]

I loved this book! What a great story! My favorite part is how the title of this book came about. It made me cry. This book had me crying and cheering at the same time. It is so remarkable.