My object is my abuela’s pilon (mortar and pestle). She used to use it to make mofongo (which is a Puerto Rican dish made with plantains) and to crush spices. She also used it to pound garlic for another Puerto Rican dish called pernil, which is roasted pork shoulder. She would do this so that she could make a paste for a marinade, which makes it flavorful and tender. My abuela would also use it a lot during the holidays, which is why it reminds my dad of Christmas and Thanksgiving (this is because during that time, she would make seasoning and mofongo). After my abuela passed away in 2007, she left a lot of things behind and one of those objects was the pilon that is pictured. In the time since she has passed, my dad (and my mom) have used it to make pernil; they have started a tradition to carry on since my abuela isn’t here to do it anymore. This object is important to me because it reminds me of family and tradition, and it reminds me of my abuela (even though I’ve never met her), and how important it is to keep someone's memory alive. I hope that someday in the future, I will be able to carry on this tradition.

– CI.

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant