When my parents immigrated from their home country. It was tough to decide what to bring. They wished they had the opportunity to bring their whole life which consisted of their parents their culture, and their way of life. Even in Mexico they didn't have much materialistic things but when they did have something it meant a lot to them. My mom grew up very poor and at a young age she started working to be able to help in her household and to also to try to provide herself with a couple things. This object is a piece of jewelry that she earned from hard work. It meant a lot to her because she grew up not focusing on materialistic things but this necklace was something that she was able to wear all the time, and it was actually something expensive. This necklace also has a connection to her religion. On it is La Virgen De Guadalupe. When she came to the United States she believed in her god and that La Virgen De Guadalupe would guide her to get to the United States on her own safely. She wore it as she traveled and it gave her confidence. This necklace was brought from Mexico and she always tells me she’d wish she was able to bring much more. This necklace actually brings her memories and helps her feel like she's still at home with her parents. Her cultura continues to live within her. She always tells me I’m going to able to keep her important belongings and I know I will be able to keep her immigration story alive. I will always know what my roots are and where my family came from. 

– Jennifer Meza-Mendoza

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