When my parents migrated from Mexico to the United States in 1995, they arrived with debt from the passage and little to no money.  My parents were able to find a place to stay because of the family members who were already in the United States prior to their arrival. The first few months were difficult, my mother and father both working and arriving home to an apartment with few furniture and little food. However, one of the first things my parents bought was an icon of the Virgin Mary. While many aspects of their lives changed in the process of adapting to a new culture and environment, this icon of the Virgin Mary served as a pillar of support for their marriage in times of financial difficulty. Religion and faith remained a constant in their continuously changing lives and it continues to support our family 22 years later. This icon of La Virgen de Guadalupe represents a conservation of culture and religion, as well as a form of support that held together the marriage of my mother and father during difficult times. 

– R.M

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