DACAGuatemalaStudentWhat We Carried

Shirt, Toajlaj Tectitán, Guatemala

Jim Lommasson
Jim Lommasson / What We Carried

Yesica Pérez Barrios:

“THE SHORT BUT THE MOST SPECIAL STORY OF MY SHIRT”

I will wear and care for this garment wherever I go, because just looking at it reminds me of all the moments it holds and makes me remember and reflect on so many things.

This shirt is one of the memories I hang on to from my life, because this shirt holds moments I will never forget.

In April 2015, my mom bought this shirt. On April 25th, there’s a festival in the place I used to live (Posonicapa Grande), with dancing and games. Also, the 26th is my birthday, and I always had a good time.

When I saw this shirt, I loved it and wanted to wear it for the first time at the dance. My mom bought me this shirt, and I showed it off.

My trip to the United States was the following month, in May. Because I liked the shirt so much, I packed it in my suitcase and brought it with me. When I crossed the desert, I remember wearing this shirt and a black sweater.

When I arrived in the United States, I lived with my siblings for a while, but without my mom. She still lived in Guatemala. It was then that I started to really appreciate the shirt because of how much I missed my mom.

Today, I hang on to this shirt and try to take good care of it. Even though, thank God, my mom now lives with me, this garment is still special for me.