Both of my parents were raised Catholic, but my mother grew up especially religious. Growing up Catholic in Mexico, a special emphasis was put on "la Virgen de Guadalupe", the Mexican version of the Virgin Mary. La Virgen de Guadalupe is said to have appeared for the first time in front of a poor peasant man, and is so ingrained into Mexican culture that many people who don't consider themselves Catholic still see her as a mother figure and ask her for guidance. Therefore, when immigrating to the United States many people, my mother included, would carry an "estampilla," or stamp, of an image of la Virgen de Guadalupe with them, for hope that she would protect them on the journey. To my parents and so many people, the image of la Virgen de Guadalupe represents hope for a better future, even if you start from nothing.

– Odila Dimas

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