My mother, Clare O’Brien, left her home country of Ireland and family on October 8 1985. In her twenties, and having just graduated from Trinity Law, she felt if she did not leave Ireland she would feel stuck. She had a wanderlust attitude and took the sign of Ireland's poor economy at the time as a reason to fly to the States. She arrived in New York, where she lived with a friends aunt, thinking she would return to Ireland in a couple of years. My mother, however, never returned to Ireland to live again. My grandfather, Neil O’Brien, an antique dealer, gave my mom a silver spoon before she left, as a part of Ireland to take with her. Every morning, my mom eats her breakfast bowl of Muesli with that silver spoon, to remind her of a little part of her home country. My mom took a big risk, leaving her parents, two siblings, and friends behind, but when asked about it, she has no regrets.  

– Una O'Brien-Taubman

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant