The story of the "μάτι" (mati) (eye) started with my dad when he left Cyprus to attend University in Canada. When he got to his share house, he hung one over the door in his bedroom. The "μάτι" is traditionally meant to keep away evil spirits and protect the people who are either wearing it, or have it hung in there homes. Once my mom and dad got married and moved to Tulsa they had one hung that was from Greece as well as the one that my dad had in college. Years later one of my siblings was playing with a ball inside and accidentally knocked down the μάτι and shattered it. That summer we went to New York and while we were there we went to Greek town and bought a new one that is hanging above our door now. 

– Kosta Paperis

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant