In the 1950’s my grandfather grew up in Russia. In the Soviet army, there was a law that most men had to join the army or do training for it once they turned 18 for a year. So when my grandfather was 18, he had to join the army and made planes for the Soviet Union. In the early 70’s he met my grandmother and they got married together. They planned to take a vacation to Italy so they packed a few things that show their culture like these Russian nesting dolls.They left for their vacation together to Italy where they had my father. Sadly they got stuck in Italy because they didn’t have a visa to immigrate into America. Soon after this, they chose to immigrate into America and bring with them these Russian nesting dolls. My grandfather started his own printing business in New York and had another child, my uncle. This printing business became very successful and he was able to retire from it after ten years because he sold the company. These Russian nesting dolls resemble the culture and country that my grandparents left behind. To this day my grandparents still have this in their house to remind them of the life they left behind.

– C.I.

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child