Local Retiree Embarks on Storytelling Career

By Irene Lagan
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 12/19/02)

Joseph Rosania never dreamed he would embark on a second career — much less become an author. Rosania, a retired computer analyst who worked for the Navy, began writing as a tribute to his late wife.

Rosania’s wife, Mary Ellen Mullarkey-Rosania, spent her career as a history teacher in Fairfax County Public schools. By all accounts, she was an award-winning teacher who was devoted to her students and taught in and out of the classroom until she was no longer able. She also cultivated her literary talents and contributed to various journals in her spare time.

Rosania said that his wife spent many hours outside of school preparing lessons, grading and finding ways to make learning enjoyable. Because the Rosanias did not have children of their own, Mary took a great personal interest in her students. Through her guidance, many students excelled in their education and pursued higher educational goals. Rosania’s career as a storyteller began as a way to make his wife laugh when she became discouraged.

"I used to tell my wife funny stories to cheer her up when she got discouraged," Rosania said. "She used to say ‘Promise me you will write a children’s book.’ I never made that promise because I did not think I could write."

When Mary passed away after spending 11 months in a coma, Rosania traveled to New York to stay with relatives. When he returned home, he began writing, initially as a tribute to his late wife.

"I only knew about kids through my wife," Rosania said. "I knew her childhood and I knew the stories she used to tell me. One day, I began writing them down."

The Adventures of Baby Schmeid, written under the pen name Ward Burke, are based on his wife’s experiences as a child.The thought-provoking stories are designed to open the hearts and minds of young and old alike. Unlike most children’s books, each book has a preface and table of contents as well as a dedication and a photo of the "real" Baby Schmeid, Rosania’s wife as a child. The books end with sections titled "Thoughts To Take Away With You," usually the moral of the story.

While most of the stories are based on actual events, they are ordinary discoveries as seen through the eyes of a child’s imagination. For instance, in one story Baby Schmeid relates her experiences in a grocery store and how she dislikes having to "share" her carriage with groceries. In another story, Baby Schmeid meets a child at school who is adopted and begins to understand what adoption means.

Other adventures have a clear moral. For instance, in one story, Baby Schmeid finds a compact mirror on the ground. Bella, the former owner of the compact, appears and asks Baby Schmeid to make a wish. When Baby Schmeid wishes only good things for others, Bella, formerly a vain woman who thought only of herself, is freed from her own selfishness and Baby Schmeid’s wishes are granted.

In addition to his children’s stories, Rosania has published a series of books titled Making Life Worth Living: A Practical Spiritual Wake-Up Call. The books are filled with short stories, reflections, poems and prayers on daily life.

The Adventures of Baby Schmeid were narrated recently on the Fairfax County Public Access Channel 10.

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