In 2016, my grandmother melted all of her gold jewelry to reshape into two gold bracelets for me and my sister. Just 4 years after she gave us these bracelets, she passed away from rapid cancer.              Since the day she gave them to us, I’ve worn it every single day of my life. After she died, I had a realization of her impact throughout my life; she had allowed an aspect of my personality to shine that was overshadowed elsewhere in my life. 
              My grandmother was a prissy woman, many people didn't like her... including most of my family. She grew up in a rich Scottish sphere; married an alcoholic, had my dad and his brother, and spent the rest of her life both reaping from and paying for these decisions. Despite this, I saw past what turned most people away. Without a doubt, she was snappy and glamorous and rude, but she was also the only person that let me tap into that side of myself. 
              Growing up, I was raised in a military family, often being shunned for excessive curiosity or femininity. When I went to my grandmother's house, she reached inside of me and pulled these traits out. I wasn't afraid of her judging me or looking down on me for wearing a dress or being afraid of bugs; she was too.  
                This dainty gold bracelet is the lasting message of her acceptance of me. We saw each other in a way our families couldn't. Her acceptance of both me and herself has helped me live the rest of my life in that same respect. I'll be forever grateful to her for this; I just hope she could feel what I felt, if only for a moment, before she passed on.

– CC

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant