My family’s story begins in Zacatecas, Mexico in 1980. My grandmother, grandfather, and their six children decided to emigrate to the United States in search of better opportunity and a different way of life. In Mexico during this time there was not much job opportunity and most of the jobs required hard labor for little pay. My father and his two brothers attended school until they were old enough to work and help support the family economically. My grandmother did not want her children to grow up and face the same hardships that she had to so she decided to make the journey to the United States. My grandmother was a very religious person and telling me the story of her journey she always said, “con Díos todo es possible”, which translates to “with God all things are possible” and “si hay fe, hay oportunidad” which means “if there is hope, there is opportunity”. Her journey to the United States was not an easy one and like many others she faced many obstacles, but she carried a necklace with a cross on it that meant a lot to her and when she faced an obstacle she always prayed and had faith that her and her family would make it to the land of opportunity. Eventually, my family made it to California and were able to make a life for themselves that they couldn’t have in Mexico. My aunts and uncles all acquired an education that contributed to the careers that they have now. My grandma says that without her faith and God none of us would be here today and that is what the necklace signified for her. 

 

Year: 1980 

Ariana Castaneda 
 

– Ariana Castaneda

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