“What is this?” I reach my hand out to grab the stuffed elephant plushie, brushing my hand across it’s body and playing with it’s ear. Growing up as a child, who was discovering their identity was special for me. My first little steps on the ground as I brought my hands out infront of me in the air.
I took one step, and another step. Next thing I knew I was running across a field of grass – laughing and giggling. When I was caught, I was smiling and my sister looked down at me. She said “Got you!” I responded “No you didn’t” and I took the chance to run back onto the couch and laid down.
Looking back at a photo of me as a child and going through all my memories made me smile with happiness. I was very happy that I grew up, very optimistic – being taught by my family and my culture. I continued to thrive being me – Caring for my family, my friends, and even my teachers. I gave everyone my warmth and vulnerability.
My memories, experiences, and family have built the person that I am today, standing and ready to cherish anything that comes my way. Ready with vulnerability and a hand out. The “Hmong Stuffed Elephant Plushie” represents family, life’s foundation, strength and memory, similarly there is a Hmong symbol that represents the same thing as an Elephants footprint. 

– Hylu V

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