During slavery and for many years after, African Americans/blacks/negroes were poor. They were paid minimum wage to afford basic necessities. Many people couldn’t afford food let alone a car or jewelry for that matter. Although my grandmother was not a slave she grew up poor, one of nine children. When she graduated from high school she was married and became a mother shortly after. Although she was married she also needed to work. On her commute to work she saw this silver and emerald ring in a  store near her home. Emerald is the color of her birth stone for the month of May. The  didn’t cost much, but she couldn’t afford to pay for it all at one time. She was able to put money down on the ring every month until it was her. She cherished this ring because she now owned it. She worked hard to pay for this ring. In her last few years of life she began giving away things she no longer needed. This ring was given to my mother who took care of my grandmother during her last few years before she passed. She told my mother “this ring isn’t worth any money today, but it’s worth all the love in the world that I have for you.” She has instilled her love to the family, and I love it.

– ST

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