The ring that I wear everyday holds a special in my heart. It reminds me of the story of the sacrifices and struggles that my family had to endure. The ring was passed down to me from my aunt when she unfortunately passed away 2 months ago. I spent a lot of time talking to my aunt the last few months she was alive, while keeping her company during her chemotherapy. During this time is when I found out the story behind how my father and his siblings came to the United States. My family on my father's side made the difficult decision during the 80’s to leave their life in El Salvador and move to the United States. During this time there was a civil war in the country. People were getting killed while others were going hungry. My aunt told me about the nights that she would not go to sleep in fear of not waking up the next morning. She found hope once again when my grandfather and father made the decision to come to the United States. Even though she was afraid she saw hope in California with job opportunities and a life away from the war that terrorized El Salvador. My aunt only brought a few things with her she mentioned her clothes, notebook, glasses, and a ring. She never wore her ring in El Salvador in fear that someone would hurt her in order to steal it. She felt free in California to be able to do so without fear that she would lose her ring forever or be hurt. The last month that she was here with us on earth she handed me the ring that meant to much to her. My aunt told me that when I wear it it should remind me of how lucky I am to grow up so free. 

– Melissa Argueta

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