I have a picture of my father that my sister gave me in Haiti. This picture was taken when my father was young. It is a small picture, and it has many colors. It is old, and worn because I have looked at it so much. I always showed my friends that picture before I came to the U.S. because they often asked about my dad. My father was a black man. He was tall. He was handsome with beautiful eyes. When I was 15 years old, I met my older sister. We were living in a separate town in Haiti when we were younger. Most of time, Haitian parents let their younger children live with their grandmother outside of the capital Port-au Prince. This is so that the youngest can learn about important things in life, like how to cook, clean house and maintain a good life. This is why I met her for the first time when I was 15 years old. She gave me the picture on the day that we met.My sister gave me this picture of my dad because I had never known what he looked like. I lost him when I as a baby. Everywhere I go, I take this picture with me. It means a lot to me. I keep this picture in my album. Sometimes it makes me cry because I remember when my sister gave me it. I think it is very important for people when we have something that a friend or family member gives us because it helps you to stay connected. Although she is in Haiti and I am here, I feel close to her because I have this picture that is special to both of us.

– Nancy Dorcela

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant