A ring made up of Swedish krona, opened the door for me to find out more about my identity. My family, who has called America home for many generations, rarely talked about my family's lineage, causing me to think only about where I am, rather than where I come from.  This ring was constructed and given to me by my grandmother’s cousin Diane. Swede born and raised, Diane was the only person I personally knew in my family who called another country her home. Diane paid a visit to the States when I was nine years old. During the visit she gave me a silver ring. At first, I had no idea what this ring represented, nor why she was giving it to me. I simply slipped the ring on my slim index finger and stared at the complex carvings curiously. Diane began to reveal that she made the ring specifically for me out of Swedish currency known as “krona.” I remember being able to tell that she was thrilled to share her culture, which I soon came to realize was mine as well. Diane passed away a few years later, but since then I learned more about her. I learned that she was a free-spirit and considered “young” for her time. She had a kid at sixteen so she had to overcome a lot of adversity, but nonetheless, she found ways to travel the world, work different jobs, and even be in magazines. Whenever I wear the ring, it reminds me to never lose sight of the places that led my family to America. The ring also inspires me to stay curious and live life to the fullest just like her.

– Aubrey Earley

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