My object is a 1,000-rupee bill from my home country, Pakistan. This bill is precious to me because it was the last thing I received from my grandmother before she passed away.

I used to live far from my grandparents—it was a four-hour drive from my house to theirs. Whenever the weekend arrived, I would pack my bags, get on a bus, and spend a few days at their home. Their house was nestled away from the city, surrounded by fields and trees. It was a villa that felt like a small zoo, filled with my grandfather’s favorite, mostly exotic, birds. They also had a white dog that had been there for as long as I could remember.

Visiting their home always felt like a reset—I would forget all my worries and just enjoy being there. My grandfather was a well-respected elder in the community, and my grandmother was the kindest person I have ever known. I remember people coming to her for financial help or life advice, and she always welcomed them with warmth and generosity.

Six months later, while I was in Saudi Arabia, I received the heartbreaking news that my grandmother had passed away on November 16, 2023—just one day before my birthday. It was such a shock that we quickly booked a flight to attend her funeral and say our final goodbyes. I still remember that day like it was yesterday—being surrounded by my aunts, uncles, and cousins, all grieving together.



 

– H

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant