My mother and her side of the family lived the early years of her childhood in Vietnam during the Vietnam war. Vietnam was a harsh place to live in during this time. Poverty and the constant fear of danger affected all the Vietnamese people living in Vietnam after the war. In order to get money for food, my grandmother was forced to sell everything starting with the TV. Their Catholic faith gave my mother and her family hope during these hardships and a small wooden rosary was one of the few possessions my mother had. Fortunately, my mother and her family were able to immigrate to the USA seeking a better life. The rosary symbolizes the hardships 1970s Vietnam enforced on my mother and the freedoms and better life America offered her. The rosary is now shelved with the other Catholic items we have and we take it out for praying during major events like my Grandfather's death anniversary and Easter. 

– Lucas

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