All it takes is 342 interwoven chains. Each holds together the end of a gold necklace laced with the scent of its owner. My sister and I vowed that our matching necklaces would connect us, no matter the distance between the two. Regardless of the physical distances between my family, the necklace serves as a silent reminder of our familial bond. Whether it's the initial move from east to west, my parents endured it all alone in hopes for new opportunities. Or, it's the years my older sister spent overseas away from us in the army. This gold chain and heart pendant connects a faraway connection with my family to home - me. When I visited my family's hometown in Pennsylvania, the chain echoed make-shift memories of their once lived life into my mind as if I had experienced them all the same. I could see all the stories I grew up admiring. Nevertheless, this was not my home. Home belongs to my family in the desert heat of Las Vegas, Nevada. This Sin City may be crowned home to myself, but each family member has their special area on Earth. This feather-weighted necklace is not just a piece of jewelry, but a reminder that no matter where my family is in the world, we are always family. We may have our own story, but it's not over yet. We are still figuring out how to live like many other families. Each point of my family's life may belong to a new destination. We’ll figure it out as we go. With this gold jewelry, it will witness new lessons and adventures as we navigate life one step at a time, connecting us throughout the globe with only 342 single chains. 

– Caitlin Walczak

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