The three generations of the Chavez women all have one thing in common. That at the age of 15 we all got a symbol of a blessing that will last a lifetime, “La Virgen ''.My mother and her family came to the U.S when she was only seventeen. Coming to a different country wasn't easy for my young mother, but my grandmother reminded her of a tradition/gift she got that helped her through hard times. My great-great-grandfather started this tradition by giving his oldest daughter a thread and felt necklace for her fifteenth birthday gift. The tradition continued by my great grandmother giving, my mother an engraved portrait of the Virgin Mary. As for me, my grandma presented me with a gold necklace with la Virgen engraved on the pendant. These gifts we will all cherish for the rest of our lives. My grandma has never taken off her necklace, my mother took portrait everywhere she's gone and I will cherish my gift for the rest of life. I will also pass down this tradition to my daughter and my granddaughter, as well. I hope that they will cherish not just there Virgin Mary, but this story as much as I do.

– VO

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant