A True Italian Gift Italians are all about going big or going home. A great example of this is the story of my gold cross necklace. My great-grandparents followed this mentality when purchasing the necklace. One day, during the year of 1960, my great-grandparents purchased this 18 Karat, gold necklace. Over time, my great-grandfather decided to let his children wear. Since my grandmother was one of five children, she argued with her siblings over who wore the necklace. Everyday a different kid wore the necklace, and my grandmother loved wearing it, when she could. After a while, my grandmother moved to the United States for opportunity and freedom, but her the necklace stayed in Italy with my her parents.  While in New York, my grandmother met my grandfather, who came from Italy too. Although my grandmother was happy with him, a little part of her was sad because she missed wearing the necklace.  From time to time, she would write to my great-grandparents to see how they were doing, when in reality she wanted to know if the necklace could be sent to her. Not long after that, my grandparents got married and started a family, in which my dad was born. Since my father was the first born, he was the first in the new generation to start his own family, including my siblings and I. When I was born, something amazing happened. My great-grandparents had made their first trip to visit me and brought along the gold necklace. Since I was the first grandson, I ultimately got the gold necklace. At the end of the day, I am grateful for my history, and I believe everyone should be too.

– Nick Cipriano

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more