When I was 8 years old, I was at my great grandmother's house and she was going through her things. She gave me a bag of her jewelry that I have held on to so I chose to share some pieces. She had also given me two sketchbooks of her beautiful paintings. Unfortunately, she had a tragic life ever since she was younger. In the great depression, worried that they would be unable to provide for their child, both of her parents committed suicide. She had found them after coming home from school one day and spent the rest of her childhood in an orphanage. The only thing she was allowed to take with her was one of her dolls. She was never adopted and spent her free time painting and taking care of the younger children at the orphanage. After aging out of the system, my great grandmother started collecting dolls and jewelry. She continued to paint until she couldn't anymore. She passed away when I was 15, leaving behind her doll collection, her paintings, her jewelry, and memories of her love.

– Kanoe Duffield

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