My object is my family’s piano. It is made of wood, ivory, metal, and strings. It came from my Great Grandma Helen and Great Grandpa Shim. They purchased this piano in 1946, (after they immigrated to America) for my Great Aunt Ellie who was 8 years old. My Great Grandma Helen always wanted to play an instrument, but never did. She wanted her family to be able to play the piano because she felt it was an important opportunity. Once my Great Aunt Ellie learned to play, her sisters Harriet and Margi (my grandmother) learned. When they were grown, the piano went to Great Aunt Ellie’s house where her daughter, Brenda learned to play. Next, the piano traveled to my Grandma Margi’s house where my Mom and my uncle learned to play. Eventually, my Mom took the piano to our house in Chappaqua where my sister and I learned to play. While my sister and I no longer take piano lessons, occasionally we will sit down and play. So does my Dad. Music is very important to our family and our piano reflects this. We all think it is special to be playing the same piano that our ancestors used. Our great grandparents would be thrilled to know how many of us have enjoyed playing music with their purchase. Hopefully one day, I will be able to pass it down to my children. 

– J

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more