The photo is of my parents, Peter and Mary. Born in Italy, Peter came to America with his parents at the age of six. He returned to the old country in his early 20's where he met and married my mother in her home town of Artena, Italy, near Rome. They came back to the US to raise a family, and had been married 25 years when this photo was taken.

Being the youngest member of the family, (preceded by siblings Nick, Angie, and Jeanette) I was about 10 years old when they were about to celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary with a party! I was very excited at the prospect of not only staying up late but, because this was such a special occasion, I would also get to go to a real night club! (not that exciting anymore).

In any event, I found myself sitting alone midway through the evening in one of those very posh (for a 10 year old) semicircle red vinyl booths. And at my half-pint height, peering between semi-filled cocktail glasses, party streamers, and cigarette ashtrays, I spotted my parents across the floor doing something completely out of character in my life experience...they were dancing...a quiet dance...a slow dance, a waltz. My father wasn't Fred Astaire. He didn't dance much. But he knew how to waltz with my mother. They looked beautiful together.

Seeing them that way... tenderly, as a couple and not just as my parental figures has stayed with me all my life. My parents have since passed away. But that impression, that bittersweet memory, inspired the waltz "Song For My Parents". - Vic Cionetti