When I came to the U.S., I brought my family picture album with me. In this album, there are a lot of memories. My grandfather gave this album to my father. The album’s cover is maroon. It’s like a book. There are fifty pages and each page has four pictures. This album is 35 years old, but it’s look like new. There are a lot of family member’s pictures in that album. There are a lot of my childhood pictures. There are also my grandfather’s and grandmother’s pictures. These pictures were taken 20 or 25 years ago.On my 5th birthday, my grandfather arranged a party. All my relatives came to the birthday party and there were a lot of pictures taken. My grandfather bought a big chocolate cake for me. I was very happy when I saw the cake. He gave me many kinds of games also. Every special occasion is represented in my album, but this one is my favorite because it reminds me of my grandparents.This album is very important for me because my grandparents’ pictures are in it. They didn’t come with me because they died 10 years ago and at that time I lived in my country. When I look at the pictures, I remember them. Those pictures remind me of all the most important occasions in my life. Now I don’t celebrate special occasions like before. In this country, our traditions are celebrated differently to how I used to celebrate them in Bangladesh. On traditional holidays and birthdays, I do not feel alone when I see them.

– Taraqul Islam

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant