By Stacie Prada

To quote the band Talking Heads from the song Once in a Lifetime, “How did I get here?”

And why does it matter?

For my ancestors who died before I was born, I contributed absolutely nothing to what they did or who they were. I try not to take any unearned pride in their efforts. I have no idea if we would have even liked each other.

Still, I marvel at the many hardships they endured that brought my family to the United States and led me to be here.