On October 30th, 2010, I received my first down coat from my mother-in-law when I arrived in America. I had never worn a down coat when I was in China during the winter because the weather in my hometown wasn't as cold as in New York. The coat she gave me was an ordinary brand that she had bought on sale. Even though it isn’t beautiful, it has kept me warm during the cold winters in the United States. It is brown and has a hood. Whenever I wear it, a few feathers come out of the coat and stick to my clothes. I didn't want to spend money to buy a better quality coat because I didn't have a job and I couldn't speak any English. I felt helpless when I first came to America. When I wanted to go somewhere and didn't know the directions, I asked my husband to give them to me the night before. If I still couldn't find the place, I looked for a Chinese person to help me. Sometimes, I couldn't find anyone to help me. But my coat was like a friend that kept me warm. It comforted both my body and my heart. I don't ever want to give up this coat because it still represents the beginning of my life here in America.

– Cindy Zhu

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