One important keepsake in my family is an old silver lamp. All sides of my family have interesting family history, and their stories always fascinate me, but especially those from my mother and maternal grandparents. My family was from the Philippines, but they had to leave because of a chaotic political climate, yet they have been able to keep many keepsakes. This lamp used to be a candle holder from my family's church, before being converted into an electric lamp, and is made of silver. I am really grateful to be able to see my family history, even through small artifacts like this lamp, as it makes it feel more alive than just the stories that my Grandparents give me. In my apartment, I can see one example of their history, and it makes it feel truer and more alive. I am happy that my grandmother was willing to let my mother keep something that was important to our family. It also connects me to my grandparents as they live across the Continent in Vancouver, Canada. 

– Charles Sylofski

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