STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Elisa Roces speaks from deep within her heart when she says she never thought she’d have the desire to write a book about her life growing up in a traditional Italian family in the Sheepshead neighborhood of Brooklyn.
However, she says her purpose in writing the narrative that spans decades was to inspire others to turn tragic stories into a sort of triumph and perhaps even be an uplifting source for those who’ve been burdened and faced with tragedy. An incentive for others who have fallen on tough times, readers will attest to Elisa’s strength and fortitude, a testament to the experiences she’s undergone and the power of resilience and positivity. In her riveting account she’s chosen to call “A Grieving Girl From Brooklyn,” the Prince’s Bay resident delves deep into her past and how her belief in God has become even stronger.
The cover of "A Grieving Girl From Brooklyn." (Courtesy/Roces family) Staten Island Advance A LITTLE ABOUT ELISA’S LIFE Over the years Elisa has lost several loved ones. As a teen she cites the thrill of her first loving relationship with a handsome suitor, the ups and downs of their relationship, and the sadness she endured when he succumbed to injuries after a horrific car accident.
She recalled the week of his wake when a white dove was perched on the terrace of her home until the last day of his funeral. “This truly made me believe that God had to be real and he was sending the dove as a sign that he was o.