Behind the Candy Store

"Over the sixteen years that Donald Shandler lived in a small cramped apartment behind his father's candy store, he became increasingly aware of the humiliating differences that separated his family from others. He saw himself as an outlier, someone with no significant social, economic, or cultural affiliations. And he yearned for a different life. Like many first generation Americans, he discovered that education would offer him a path forward. Follow him on his journey from failing out of college on his first attempt, to finishing his career with a Ph.D. from Ohio State University and serving as Assistant Vice President of Graduate Programs and Adult Education at Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia. From desperately wanting to "cross to the other side of the street" as a teenager, Donald Shandler accomplished that goal on many levels with accelerating achievements. Along the way he relinquished his status as outlier. After decades of rich and varied life experiences, a 50+-year marriage, family and a wonderful retirement home he is now experiencing a burst of affirmations. In addition, he has finally relinquished years of remorse and regret, achieving a sense of peace and reconciliation. And, while Donald's memoir comes to an end, his life goals and aspirations not only continue and accelerate. Fasten your seatbelts. The best is yet to come"--