My grandmother says goodbye as my parents and I go for a walk around the small town to say hello to friends, cousins, godparents, and great aunts and uncles. Even though this moment wasn't a sad one in the least, it reminds me of sad moments. Of saying goodbye and knowing that we won't see each other for at least another two years. At those times I was never sad for me, but I was sad for my mother. They've always written letters to each other since my mother moved to the States, and from what I can tell, I think out of all her children, Mama Josefa is closest to my mother, which is heartbreaking that she lives the farthest away.

But in these sad moments my mom always reminds me, but more herself, that if she didn't live in the States she never would be able to financially support her mother as much as she has.

Josalee Thrift Photo