My grandfather came from Munshinagar, a village in Bangladesh. Most of his 6 children had come to live in Queens by the 90's. To be with his family, he traveled to New York and stayed with my father, the eldest and the only son. With him, he brought a white katha, or a quilt. The katha was hand-sewn by my aunt. It was made by layering three old cotton saris,that had gotten worn and soft from frequent use, and sewing them together with lined parallel stitching. The earliest comfort I knew was the katha. I went from being swaddled in it, fresh from the hospital, to now, using it to keep warm in winter. Neither of my parents brought anything of value when the immigrated to America. This is a small but important tie I have to my culture. 

– Nishat Miah

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