When my family and I left Colombia to move to the United States, it was one of the hardest moments of our lives. Colombia is full of warmth, the people are kind, welcoming, and family feels like everything. Leaving that behind meant leaving not just a place, but a way of life that had shaped us.

Before we left, my grandmother painted a small Virgen sculpture for us to bring along. She told us it would guide and protect us on the journey. As Catholics, the Virgen has always been very meaningful to us, and carrying it made us feel connected to our home and faith.

Starting over in the U.S. was not easy. We had to learn a new language, adjust to a new culture, and find our place in a world that felt unfamiliar. There were many days when I missed the warmth of Colombia,the neighbors who always greeted you, the sense of community, and the comfort of being surrounded by people who understood you. Still, the Virgen reminded us that we were not alone, and that our strength as a family would carry us through.

Migration was not just about moving countries, it was about keeping that sense of warmth and connection alive, even in a new land.

– MM

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant