My grandfather from my father’s side worked in copper, silver, and brass design (with a little bit of gold on occasion). He worked by drawing and carving designs onto bowls, coffee cups, vases, trays, chandeliers, barbecues, etc. This copper plate (along with a copper jewelry box) came from his store and was a gift for my father, who was emigrating to America from Syria. 

This gift represents a little bit of the day-to-day life of a very important person in our family. Though he may have seemed like a regular ol’ Joe to those looking from the outside, my grandfather was a pillar and a rock for anyone who got to work or live with him. Because he was such a reliable person, my parents wanted to keep something of his as a way to remember the security and structure he gave them. Our family has now kept this beautifully crafted plate for over three decades, and every year or two my parents tell us its story. More importantly, they also relay bits and pieces of my grandfather’s life to us. My siblings and I have taken lessons from his life, and we use them to help improve our lives, and maybe someday our children's lives too. 

– Yehoshua

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