Nana's Button (When I was 8-9)
As I looked at her I could see the sadness in her eyes. I would feel the same if my dad had passed. My nani started towards me and pulled me off to the side. She held out a beautiful necklace. “This will protect you with great nana’s love.” She smiled and told me a story I would never forget. “ A few months ago I went to see my dad one last time. When we got there we received beautiful mementos from his life and I was given his favorite buttons. When we were young we used to watch him put on his most gorgeous kurta with these buttons and show them off with pride to all who would marvel. He felt powerful and strong in this and in a way, wise.I felt like I had to do something with them so I decided to make it into a necklace, the closest thing to the heart. So I went to the jewler and got it done. Right as I was about to give it to him I asked one small favor. If he would leave the bottom of the diamond exposed so it could touch the skin and warm the heart. When I went back home I knew I had to give it to my favorite girls, you being one of them. I wanted it to be like Nana's forever blessing.” 

– MB

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