Bokjumeoni, literally translating to luck pocket or pouch in English, is a traditional accessory used by children to receive money from older family members during Lunar New Year and Chuseok, a Korean holiday. Typically made of silk and adorned with colorful embroidery, the bokjumeoni represents prosperity, luck and happiness. Although I never used the bokjumeoni to receive money on those holidays, these values were the hopes my family and I carried with us when we immigrated to the U.S. in 2014. In 3rd grade, which was my first school year in America, our teacher made us bring small gifts for the entire class for Valentine's Day and I remember bringing little bokjumeonis for the class, one for each classmate. Throughout that year, I also made slideshows about Korean culture and holidays to present to the class. Though soon, I realized that it would be a long time until I would be able to celebrate those holidays with my extended family again as they do not align with the timeline of school vacations. When I reminisce about those holidays, I find myself missing my family, but also remember the joy my younger self felt handing out little bokjumeonis to my classmates, hoping to pass on the happiness those holidays brought me.

– Jayden Yi

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child