My grandfather always wanted me to do good. He always pushed me to do better and strive for the best. He was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, but as he grew older he came to New York with his parents and sister. Then he went to high school and met my grandmother and started their family. He wasn’t always in the best money situation. He would work really hard to support his family, thus making him not having enough time with his family. After over 20 years with the MTA he retired and treated me like the son he never had. Growing up we were extremely close. We always used to go on trips together whether if it was to the corner store or to Maryland. He always told me to save my money coming from his experience. Later on my grandmother had to sell our building and when we were moving I saw the piggie bank i always enjoyed looking at it but when we we moving I saw it differently. He gave me the piggie bank and told me to save my money. The piggie bank symbolizes his struggle and the messages he had told me. The piggie bank and his story connects because it shows me how he supported his family by saving his money.

– Jonathan Gonzalez

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