The picture of my dad at just 22 gives me chills at the thought of what he gave up. At the time, he knew my mother, but were not to marry for another 2 years. My grandfather, which he shares the same name with (Ismael), was running a small store in the small town of Tayahua, which my father helped upkeep. What I mean by "what he gave up" is I know he loved where he was and the people around him. As the hard working man that he has always been, he did although realize that the opportunities that he had to make a living were slim to none if he stuck around. After he married my mother in 1982, 9 months later in 1983, he came to the United States to work. I can't imagine the difficulty of leaving a new-born, a wife, parents, and siblings to get resources for his family. My mother would later join him, but to think the courage he had to make that decision so their kids would have luxuries that they did not is almost unfathomable. He is a symbol of humility and drive for me. He is the person I strive to make proud, and who's sacrifices I urn to make worth with my accomplishments

– Natalie

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