When looking back at my childhood I have many memories while living in the United States. My birth place and home is Sao Paulo, Brasil. In 2012, I moved to the United States while I was very young. I don't remember much, but in the back of my mind I have vivid memories of my childhood teddy bear. I only have 3 stuffed animals that I kept from Brazil all remind me of home, but this one sticks out to me. It has brown fur and wears a white shirt. This bear originally belonged to my mother which she kept throughout her life and eventually passed to me. My mother's best friend gifted her this bear, and it is very meaningful to my mother and now to me. It has a deep representation of Brazilian culture, our family and friends. Throughout my life full of changes, growing up and moving I have lost or left behind most of my childhood possessions, but this teddy bear has stuck with me through all of it and reminds me of where I am from even when thousands of miles away. As I reach out each night to my bear I not only feel the soft fur and coziness but I feel the memories, love, hurt, and joy it holds and has carried from Brazil to the United States.

– S.S

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