Melanie Dawn Larinde

Augustina Melanie Dawn Larinde

Born with the heart and courage of an adventurer, Augustina knew at a young age she would leave her hometown in Poland and come to America. She was certain she would find a way as soon as she became of legal age, but her bigger concern was telling her father, then saying goodbye to her four siblings, especially baby sister Maria. This is the story of Augustina's bold journey and the challenges she faced crossing the Atlantic to Ellis Island, then to Kansas City, then making the 1,620 mile trip to Los Angeles in an open air rumble seat during the harsh conditions of the Dust Bowl. Having been robbed, lied to, cheated on, and treated with disrespect due to her poor use of the English language and obvious cultural differences, Augustina developed a hard shell, allowing only a select few past the external barrier into her large heart and core of goodness. Riddled with guilt, fear, and the unfulfilled dreams after arriving in America, it never occurred to Augustina to give up, though that would have been the easy way out. Number one on her priority list, next to raising her children, was learning English and getting an education. This personal vendetta, spanning decades of her life, was repeatedly met with obstacles and setbacks. Unfolding throughout the story is the evolution of the relationship between Augustina and her daughter, beginning with constant disagreements and opposition, transitioning into a tremendous level of respect for one another. Any mother and daughter can relate to, reminisce, and appreciate this heart-warming story.