On February 27, 1973 my mom Yadira Batista's first birthday was celebrated in the Dominican Republic. She was the eldest in her nuclear family and my grandparents' first child. My grandma Maria Altagracia Vazquez, a great baker in the Dominican Republic during her time, decided to throw my mother a party for her first ever birthday. My grandma began a career as a baker because she loved baking and it paid well enough to help provide for her family. For this birthday party my grandma made a cake for my mother and included the little plastic boy in the decoration. This tiny figurine of a little boy ended up being on my aunt's and uncle's first birthday cakes as well and even made an appearance on my first birthday cake. Throughout the years this simple and antique decoration became such a big part of my family because it keeps reminding us of my grandma's struggle to help her kids succeed. In the end, due to my grandma's struggles and care for her children, my mom moved to NYC and became a U.S. citizen.

– Arlyn

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