Grace Santangelo was innocent, reserved, and obedient. At fifteen, she dutifully assisted in the day-to-day operation of her parents' boardinghouse in Illinois. Never in her wildest dreams did Grace imagine meeting and falling in love with boarder number 3, Gio Rivia, a handsome Italian immigrant that was eight years her senior.

Marriage quickly followed. The strong, determined, visionary characteristics that Grace admired about Gio when they were courting became challenges in their marriage.

Gio's salvation and developing relationship with God united the family for a period of time, but his wife's debilitating illness and an indiscreet sister-in-law took its toll on his new commitment.

Alone in her isolated bed, Grace fervently prayed for God's grace to cover her children all the days of their lives. God, in his merciful goodness and grace, did just that in spite of it all.