My Buddha necklace is a possession that I haven’t taken off in several years. The Buddha pendant was made for me by my aunt who owns a jewelry store in Cambodia and the golden necklace is actually my mom’s. This necklace has made me feel safe everywhere I go especially when coming to a new country. When I was little, it took away all my fears of ghosts as in my head I always thought it fended off the evil spirits. This necklace reflects my Buddhist beliefs as my family is Buddhist and we immigrated from a predominantly Buddhist country. We came to the United States in 2009 and landed in Boston, Massachusetts. I have carried this necklace all the way from my home country to this new land that I now also know as a home. Sometimes I wonder how my mom managed to obtain a golden necklace like this, for a girl who grew up poor her whole life, she sure loves her pearls and gold.

– JM

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child