The black rocking chair has been a fixture in my parents’ bedroom for as long as I can remember. I am the first of four children, the only one born in Jamaica (West Indies). My parents migrated to New York from Jamaica in 1967. They got married in 1968, and by January 1969, I was expected. One thing that always brought me joy was the black rocking chair in my parents’ bedroom. It reminded me of the one in my grandmothers bedroom back home in Jamaica. My dad loved the black rocker. It was from the black rocker I would get instructions for life. While growing up every morning before leaving for school, my brothers and I would go to my parents’ room. One of them would be sitting in the chair rocking away. Whichever one was sitting, there would have a morning list of question:  Did you finish your homework? Do you have lunch money? Whose turn is it to walk the dog? Etc. My dad passed away in 2016 and my mom retired to Florida. The house we grew up in was sold. While cleaning it out, I found the black rocker in the attic. It was beaten up and worn and the seat of it had fallen through. I decided to take it to my house. The chair now sits in my bedroom. My kids are grown and have missed the rocking chair instructions experience, but my hope is to give my grandkids instructions for life in the black rocking chair.

– V

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