After my great grandfather, Saul, immigrated to the United States, he had a farm in Sullivan county. At this time, he was only in his mid 20’s, in the middle of the 1920’s. He had just immigrated from Russia to escape persecution. To harvest the crops, he used a scythe. This scythe is just a regular piece of farming equipment, used for cutting grass or grain, bought from a store in Waterbury, Vermont. He profited off of this farm, sold it, and moved to Brooklyn and became a tailor. He married my great grandmother, Bessie. She, like him, was an immigrant from Eastern Europe, escaping from the persecution of her childhood. My great grandfather kept that scythe, which he handed down to my grandfather, who passed it along to my father. This scythe, just a piece of farming equipment, shows my family’s personality. We keep working until we achieve a better life for ourselves. This scythe represents the hard work of my family, and how they came from persecution. We have overcome challenges, and are still working hard today, to reach the goal of prosperity in our lives. Knowing how to overcome challenges through hard work is an important life skill, so people are able to prosper. This object represents my determination in succeeding, even when the odds are not in my favor. Persistence creates opportunity, which leads to success.
 

– D.S.

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