Crossing Over to the New World A token that holds a life left behind and a journey to a land unknown, free, without persecution, it’s soil rich in nutrients for a seed to grow and a new start to take root. My Parents were both born in Egypt, in the city of Cairo. My dad was one of three boys and was the youngest of the bunch. Over the years each of his brother’s moved out of the country to start their own lives. Likewise, my dad had the same instinct. After completing college my grandmother on my father’s side had given my dad a gold Cross for safe keeping, It may not seem like much but this Cross brought peace of mind as she knew God would always watch over him. They then traveled to the U.S. where my dad finished up his degree in Dentistry, He completed his education while he and his mother were settling into New York, and time quickly passed. After that, he had found my mother who also had been living in New York and after a couple of years dating, he asked her to marry him. Although the wedding was a cause for celebration later that year my grandmother died of a heart attack. Nevertheless, my dad carried on holding his mother close, he attended church weekly as his faith in God helped him to cope with the death of his mother. In the end, he was able to build a home and a family by relocating to the Americas. My parents have now lived in the U.S. for over 30 years and were able to have four children, I included, and this country has brought meaning to our family, creating for us a home and by uniting us in the United States.

– Justin Hennis

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