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The Influences that Define our Lives 1

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Real Estate Agent with Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754

The Influences that Define our Lives  1

Our learning as individuals begins at the point when we form a memory, and these would be with the parents in our lives.  Our mother and father become our foundation, and the quality of the structure is formed on that foundation.

While both my mother and father were hard workers and we were raised with a more traditional manner, it was watching my father as he did his thing that I consider a big part in making me a good part of what I am today,

My father was born in Erie Pa, and when the depression became a real issue, the family moved to Portugal where they knew they would be better able to survive more comfortably.

They were essentially farmers and while the lifestyle could be considered rustic, they were self-sufficient, and they were still in school.

As a seaman during WWII, he was a member of the black -gang, which meant working in the engine room. All this was on job training, but he knew to keep his eyes open, and he learned.

He was also not one to shy away from anything, so he was constantly trying new things and helping others. 

He was not one to instruct but just by watching him I created a bank of knowledge that I knew would help me some day.

Whether yardwork, repairs on the house, small car repairs, he would try it all, which continued to house building. general remodeling and even a social club construction as a general contractor.

Never one to seek accolades, he did his thing and just let the results speak for themselves.

He taught me patience; integrity and to have self-confidence.

The foundation would hold firm and as I developed my style and character it allowed me to tackle life and achieve the goals I would have established.

We are created by those around us and many do not realize the impact it carries in life.

 

 

The Influences that Define our Lives  1

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Edward (Ed) Silva

 Broker Associate

Mapleridge Realty LLC

Serving Central Connecticut Sellers and Buyers

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Show All Comments Sort:
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Ed - our histories are parts of our past but they carry forward with us today.  The future, too.  

Mar 08, 2025 04:28 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Michael Jacobs   We are what we learn and saw as kids.

Mar 10, 2025 05:17 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Actions speak louder than words and it sounds like you learned the right things through the actions of your parents!

Mar 08, 2025 04:29 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Brian England   My father was always hesitant to saw anything as he had very little education beyond second year of high school

Mar 10, 2025 05:18 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Ed. Your father and my Dad must have known each other as my Dad taught through his actions and let other try as they learned. Many people in the auto rebuilding business around the Chicago area in the 40's, 50's and 60's referred to him as their mentor. Just wondering. Enjoy your day.

Mar 08, 2025 04:29 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Wayne Martin   their paths never crossed but they all studied from the same book

Mar 10, 2025 05:19 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 - I read a long time ago, the most intelligent people who built America were Farmers and Mechanical/Logic Thinkers. So, did your Dad stay in Portugal, or come back to America? He sounds wonderful! You must have had a great family life shadowing him when he worked. 

Thank you for this wonderful entry and sharing this priceless gift of who you are with roots coming from your dad. I really enjoyed reading about your father. Also, that is a very nice photograph of him!

Mar 08, 2025 04:32 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Patricia Feager   Dad came back to the states in 1939 and worked various jobs until he joined the Navy in 1942

Mar 10, 2025 05:20 AM
Patricia Feager

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 - I wanted to circle back to you to say you chose the perfect Title and the two photos of your dad are absolutely wonderful. Your dad was a handsome man, and you were a lucky son. In both of his pictures I see love in those eyes. 

Mar 12, 2025 08:32 PM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Thanks for sharing your experiences Ed!!!

The foundation would hold firm and as I developed my style and character it allowed me to tackle life and achieve the goals I would have established.

Mar 08, 2025 04:43 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

As noted, previously Sham Reddy CRS  we are what we learned and saw as kids. Hopefully it was all good

Mar 10, 2025 05:21 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Ed,

It’s clear that your father's quiet strength, work ethic, and willingness to take on any challenge left a lasting impact on you. Our greatest lessons often come not from observation and experience, not words.  Thanks for sharing more about your Dad and how he influenced you.

 

 

Mar 08, 2025 04:54 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Carol Williams  he never looked for attention and just did what needed to be done. 

Mar 10, 2025 05:21 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Ed... what more could we ask for from our parents:

"He taught me patience; integrity and to have self-confidence."

Mar 08, 2025 05:23 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Nina Hollander, Broker  I learned patience as dad had very little

Mar 10, 2025 05:22 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 hi Ed... I learned patience as a real estate broker! :)

Mar 10, 2025 05:23 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Absolutely the people around us (especially those that raised us) all made an impact on our lives.

Mar 08, 2025 05:23 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Kat Palmiotti  Hopefully we kept the good and learned to ignore and avoid the bad

Mar 10, 2025 05:23 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Sounds like you learned a lot from a great man. We are so lucky for what we have today.

Mar 08, 2025 07:34 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty   I did learn a lot both directly and indirectly

Mar 10, 2025 05:23 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Your reflections really hit home, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754! It’s amazing how those early influences shape us in ways we often overlook. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt glimpse into the lessons from your father—it's a reminder that true wisdom often comes from simply observing how others live and learn. Keep these stories coming! 🙌

Mar 08, 2025 01:25 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Lew Corcoran   Thank you, it is really very simple to follow a solid path

Mar 10, 2025 05:24 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Ed- how interesting that you family moved to Portugal because of the Depression!  That must have taken great courage to do so. Practical is how I would describe our father's generation!!! What you learned from him has served you well. 

Mar 08, 2025 01:47 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Kathy Streib   Survival is a strong instinct and both families going back was far easier than staying in the states.

It is also where my parents managed to meet each other otherwise my story may have been different.

Mar 10, 2025 05:26 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Ed we have another thing we share in common.  My dad also taught me much more from his actions than his words.

Mar 08, 2025 02:06 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

George Souto   They were of a generation that sought no glory, just a way to make a living.

Mar 10, 2025 05:27 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Ed, for this special blog post.

Treasure your fond memories.

Mar 09, 2025 10:29 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Thanks for stopping Roy

Mar 10, 2025 05:27 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Ed:

Your Dad clearly had a profound influence on you and your life, and I enjoyed reading about him. I think we often do not realize the impact others can have on us at the time but only later realize it, and appreciate it.

Jeff

Mar 09, 2025 10:51 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Jeff Dowler, CRS   We should be mindful that whatever we do will be seen by someone and at the very least what they see is honest and a positive.

Mar 10, 2025 05:28 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Ed, Your dad's dedication, and readiness to tackle challenges have undoubtedly influenced you, showing that true lessons come from actions, not just words!

Mar 10, 2025 05:08 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400  whatever we do should be for good and not to seek recognition or glory

Mar 10, 2025 05:29 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Monday morning, Ed.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Mar 10, 2025 06:31 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

Wow, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 reading this resonates with me on so many levels.  I love the way you summed up this post.  

"We are created by those around us and many do not realize the impact it carries in life."

 

Mar 10, 2025 09:36 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

The story about your father brings part of your past, present, Ed. Back during the depression, out of necessity, people of that era had to use whatever they could find to repair things, new did not come easy for most Americans!

Mar 12, 2025 06:25 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

The foundation laid by your family, especially your father, has supported you and shaped you throughout your life, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 

Mar 17, 2025 01:04 AM