Pictures have always been extremely important to my family. The oldest photograph my maternal family has is from 1937, the year my grandpa and his family moved to Napa. The house they are photographed in front of is still owned by our family ‘til this day. Everyone in my mom’s side of the family knows it as “the E Street home” or “Mom’s house” (the house now belongs to my grandma). The home has become a place of gathering and has been able to bring our family together. I have family members living in Napa and furthest, Japan. Being altogether at once is something that hasn’t happened in a long time. The last time we have documented altogether was on 4th of July in 2004. A family friend took a picture featuring my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and my parents. Over the years that very home has changed in many ways. From an addition of a garage, new paint color, or the back door that is now used as the entrance. My uncles and cousins have spent many long hours fixing up the house for my grandma.One specific tradition that takes place at my grandma’s home is Christmas morning. In 2005 we started gathering to have breakfast and opening presents. My family has a lot of cooks and bakers so the majority of our foods were homemade.The home is something that holds a special place in my heart because I have many memories there. I’ve spent many hours from birth in the home and still oftenly go there. 

– Rachel V.

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant