What may seem like a silly trinket or childish keepsake can in fact be a binding possession that links a memory, invokes emotion, or even provides inspiration. Nostalgia from her childhood was what got my godmother Nathalye through her rough journey to New York from Bogota, Colombia. Struggling to adapt, one of her driving forces to succeed in this country was her family. Back home she left behind her parents, and younger siblings. Nathalye adored her little brother. Missing him terribly while she was away from home she would wind up this little blue dinosaur to remind herself of why she came to New York in the first place. It was gift from from her little brother, given to her on her 17th birthday when her brother was only 5 years old. This little blue wind up dinosaur was his most prized possession and no one was allowed to play with it. After seeing everyone give Nathalye birthday gifts he decided to give his favorite toy to his "hermana". Everyone in the family was shocked, Nathalye tried to tell him to keep his toy, but he insisted. Since then my godmother e has kept this little blue dinosaur and has brought it with her everywhere she has traveled and lived. What was once simply a child's toy became a lifelong symbol of sentiment.

– Chelsea De Jesus

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