Once, in a lifetime not so far from our own my mother, grandfather and Tia were no ordinary humans. They were coyotes - wise, spirited guardians of those seeking a new life. My grandfather kept his stories private. Stories he would share with only his sister Ramona for she had been part of the journey and shared the adventures with my mother. They saved various lives and brought families together that were separated by invisible lines drawn on land that once was their ancestors. My mother trembled as she moved the manual gears of the red hatchback filled with people whom she barely knew. Her heart stopped as the gears stalled in her imagination while crossing Border Patrol for, she now knew she was risking it all.  Our ancestors would be proud that they took part in the search for freedom. Further up my family tree records prove travel through Ellis Island from European origin that went on to mix with Native blood.  It is my great-great-grandfather that also comes to mind. Manuel Preciado married a beautiful woman who descended from French royalty that gave birth to many children in Piru, CA where they nurtured and instilled the love for God, agriculture, Motown music and the Los Angeles Dodgers that is still strong to this day. The daring risks our family, and many others have taken to push limits, and cross boundaries have developed into what we know as the land of the free, filled to the brim with fancy-colored diamonds glimmering with various cultures, foods and love to share among all that call this place our home.
  
 

– BB

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