It was a beautiful evening with the sun going down and shooting its colorful rays through the window into my coach, almost like it was drawing weird figures on my coach, but I didn't mind. I was too focused on the content of that evening, it wasn't just any other day, it was national woman's day, and I knew that my dad would get me a gift. I was eight at that time and very impatient, so I sat there in the living room until the dark and waited for my dad to arrive, but waiting minutes turned into waiting for hours, I eventually felt asleep. I woke up later that night in my bedroom with a golden necklace with heart shaped pendent hanging on it on my neck. It was so beautiful I jumped from my bed for the joy. Ever since that day I've never taken the necklace out, it is my lucky charm that I keep on me at all times. It's important memory I have from Russia because good things come and go, but memories like this would stay with me forever.
When you are an immigrant, you are on the ship in the sea moving further and further away from your home, and it is important to slow down, and remember where you are originally from. Keep your map in mind because every person has a map of his country in his heart and we should never let our minds forget it. The truth is immigrants tend to be more American than people born here, that's why things like my necklace, your culture, her religion and his book are things that remind us who we truly are, not who we're trying to be.

– Nilam Nematullah

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant