Born and raised in Upstate New York during the mid-60s through the 1970s, I grew up in a large Catholic family as the middle child of ten. Being in the center came with its advantages, especially the ability to quietly observe and learn from my older siblings. My father was an electrical technician, civilian government employee who earned a modest income of around $8,000 to $10,000 annually, which had to stretch far to feed twelve mouths. Consequently, We lived on a small farm with a couple of cows and some chickens, life was simple yet full, shaped by hard work, faith, and the unique dynamics of character building.

There’s an old saying: “Ignorance is bliss.” For me, this rings true when looking back at my childhood. Life seemed easier because it was simpler. We were pretty desolate back then, but it was okay, simply because we didn’t know it. They made do with what they had, and for me, that experience became a foundation for understanding resilience, family, and relationships in a way few people today can fully appreciate.

However, as this book points out, the world has changed, and so has the meaning of these old sayings. Today, “Ignorance is NOT bliss!” The complexities of today force us to revaluate some of those older sayings.