My mom's story began in the 70’s, where she had been encouraged by her family that had already traveled and lived in the United States to make her way to California. Her mother and a few siblings had left Mexico to settle in the state to eventually bring the remaining family members. She was unsure of leaving her hometown of Mexico City to start a whole new life. My mom felt discouraged since she didn’t know a word of English while her family had already had a decent understanding. She finally made it to the United States where she had met my father, a Mexican American born in the United States and started her family. In 1993, her mother had gotten sick with Brain Cancer, leaving my mom and eight other siblings behind. She was giving the privilege to keep plenty of her mom’s cultural items, even some tea-cups and crystal vases from the 1800’s. One item that my mom has kept on display all these years was the Molcajete, a pre-historic blender to mainly make food like salsas. She had been blessed to have three of different sizes where she would honor her heritage and Mexican values her mother taught her. Seeing these Molcajetes, reminds me of how much my mom worked to give my brother and I a better life, pushing us to work hard in school to have a successful career here in America. I will forever be grateful for her teaching me about Mexican History and educating me on her values and lifestyle before coming to the United States.

– SR

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