At the age of 6 years old, I was brought to the United States. I made a drastic change to my entire future to be able to see my dad every day of my life. I am the youngest of 8 and the only one raised in the United States. At the young age of 6, I learned to observe and listen and do my best to fit in. I did my best to mimic the accent to prevent sounding like an outsider. By the time I reached the third grade, I was place in bilingual classes and was up to speed with reading and writing with everyone else. The attached picture is a symbol of my youth and innocence as well as the traditions I would like to keep in my family going forward. As a kid you do as you are told and own your culture and customs without hate or hesitation because you don't know any better. It is when you enter foreign ground that you begin to question or challenge what you are told as a kid.

The tradition in the picture is very common in my home town and different parts of Mexico. On December 12th (the day of  Our Lady of Guadalupe) children are dressed as Mexican Natives in honor of  Our Lady of Guadalupe. These are simple traditions that I feel will keep me linked to my culture and family roots for years to come. 

– Elizabeth

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant