There are many types of fruits, such as mangoes, lychees, and dragon fruits, but sometimes fruits can mean more than just a delicious snack. Every New Year’s Eve my family hangs a grape in every room, and on the upcoming New Year’s Eve, they replace the now dried up grape with a new and fresh grape. This symbolizes a new start to the new year and also shows that nothing is permanent. My cousin Janine told me, “A new grape means new opportunities, new goals, new blessings, and a new year.” My mom’s family started doing this after my aunt read it in a book, from the Philippines, about God. “This tradition has been going on in my family for 24 years.” Janine explains. I asked my aunt if she were to post about our tradition on Facebook, what would she tag, and she said, “#NewGrapeNewMe, #FilipinoCulture, #Swerte (‘lucky’ in Tagalog), #BagongHiling (‘new wishes’ in Tagalog), and #SalamatPo (‘Thank you' in Tagalog).” This is an important tradition for me to do because it gives me hope for the next year. Sometimes the year before was really rough and I think replacing the grape reminds me that the new year will never be the same as the last. It’s a tradition I will cherish forever and pass on.

– JC

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