This table cover from my grandmother’s wedding night has accompanied my grandmother throughout her migration journey starting in Myanmar all the way to where she currently resides, Houston, TX. After getting married and starting a family in Myanmar, my grandmother and her family moved to East Pakistan, before it became Bangladesh. Once the civil war between West and East Pakistan began, my family decided to move to West Pakistan, now known as Pakistan. Later, my father decided to move to the United States to pursue higher education and a better quality of life. My grandmother joined him once he was settled down, bringing the table cover with her. Much to all of our family’s surprise, this table cover survived my grandmother’s journey through multiple countries which included various robbery attempts. Fortunately for me, it is now resting safely in my grandmother’s closet waiting to be used. I plan on starting a tradition with this table cover where I will use it in my wedding ceremony and will pass it down to my next of kin. Even though this table cover is most likely done migrating between countries, it will now be migrating through our future family generations to come as a reminder of where and who we came from.  

– Rabia Kassam

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant