I remember it so clearly—Kindergarten "Show and Tell." That morning, as we rushed to leave the house, I repeatedly asked my mom what I could take to school to share with my class. When I finally got her attention, I pleaded for the sentimental stuffed animal that played music, but my mother without any hesitation refused. My parents had no idea what “Show and Tell” was at the time, they were immigrants themselves, and had more important things to do than pick out stuffed animals for an assignment they didn’t understand. Instead, my mom quickly placed in my hand a tiny tea light candle, a dollar tree find that was likely laying around, close enough to grab and run out the door with. “Take this”, she confidently said. This tiny, tea light candle had no scent, held no meaning to me or my family, and there was no way I wasn’t going to be the laughingstock of my class that day.
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