Louis J. Papa

True Love, Ambition and Tragedy Louis J. Papa

This is a human interest story of the author's life. It spans his life from his toddler years to well into his retirement. He came from poor uneducated beginnings. Extreme bashfulness was a hindrance most of his life. Haunted by an unsupportive and wife- abusing dad he is spurred on to better himself in every way. He marries young and has a lifelong story book romance. Determined to do well for his beloved wife, he works his way to a degree with no financial aid. Two children were born along the way. This was accomplished by attending full time day school while working full time at night. Undeterred and with the emotional aid of a very supportive wife he goes on to earn a doctorate degree in chemistry acquiring two more children along the way. The next step is a successful career at DuPont and the birth of twins. Public speaking haunts him through most of his life, but he finally conquers it to become an accomplished speaker. He is promoted twice, finally to Senior Supervisor in research at DuPont. Just when his career seems to be blossoming a triple tragedy strikes. Among them is the onset of multiple sclerosis which causes retirement when he is only forty eight years old. There is a long period of trying to adjust to the disability. He was now faced with the inactivity created by the early retirement. But more importantly his hard earned career was now destroyed. Then two more tragedies strike. First he contracts colon cancer but is apparently cured by an operation. But the final blow is unbearable to him. It is the death off his life-long love, his wife. Interwoven in the story is the devotion and love between him and his wife.