When my grandpa returned home from the Korean War, he brought home a small crystal ball to my mother, who was a small child at the time. At first, my grandfather did not speak much pertaining to the significance of the ball, as he needed time for his daughter to explore the wonders of this tiny ball herself. He eventually shared that he received the crystal ball from his father, who was a Russian immigrant. My great grandfather explained that that crystal ball helped him overcome many challenges in his life and that he wanted to pass it onto his son. My mother kept this ball throughout her childhood and gave it to me when I entered adolescent-hood. The crystal ball continues to inspire me to persevere through any difficulties I face throughout my life just the way my relatives did. I connect to this object to my grandfather and my great grandfather’s birthdays because it aids me in reflecting on the struggles that they faced during war and immigration; it makes me believe I am capable of surviving anything.

– L.W.

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more