From 1977 to 1982 my mother lived in Puebla, Mexico. At the age of 5, she moved to Madison, Wisconsin. They moved to Madison because my grandfather was getting his doctored at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She had to pack up her whole life into one little suitcase. It was hard for her to make a decision on what to bring. She had to leave behind a couple of boxes with my aunt, she hoped that she’d be able to return to the items. They lived in an apartment that also housed the other exchange students and their families. My mother made friends with kids from all around the world. She moved back to Mexico when she was 11 years old. All the moving stressed her out a lot, she had to find a coping mechanism. That’s when she found her love of art, her creative side. She says that her side of the family has always been creative. Her uncle was an amazing painter he showed her some techniques. That helped with all the moving around; she drew what she was feeling. Her drawing was her therapy. My mom now taught me some techniques when it comes to painting or anything art related. Art has been passed down to help us to cope with anything we’re having trouble with. Art will always be part of who our family is for as long we will let it.

– IS

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child