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An illustration of a child with dark hair and wide eyes looking excitedly at pastries through a glass display case in a bakery, with a hand in the foreground using tongs to pick up a pastry.

Sundays with Family

This personal work delves into the quiet, powerful impact of immigration, exploring how a simple family ritual can become a touchstone for home and belonging.

When I was little, I had a Sunday ritual with my dad. I’d quietly tiptoe into my parents’ bedroom, and without saying a word, he’d get up and take me to our favorite bakery — a big, well-known one in the city. There was always a long line, but we never had to wait; we were always the first. I got to choose most of the facturas, always picking the ones filled with dulce de leche. Back home, my mom would be up, heating the kettle and preparing the mate. My dad would set the facturas on the table, take out his guitar, and start playing folklore songs. It was always the same ritual: my dad playing, my mom pouring the mate and singing along, and me listening to that sweet concert, feeling — just for a while — like an only child. Maybe that’s why folklore music feels like home. And now, living far from Argentina, whenever I feel homesick, I make a mate, play those old songs, and go back — even for a moment — to those sweet mornings with my parents. That little ritual still brings me comfort, especially when I miss my dad.
An illustration inside a bedroom, where a small child in a blue dress stands beside a bed, reaching out to an adult partially visible under the covers. Another adult's head is on the pillow next to them. A nightstand with a lamp and books is on the right.
An illustration of a child with dark hair and wide eyes looking excitedly at pastries through a glass display case in a bakery, with a hand in the foreground using tongs to pick up a pastry.
An illustration depicting a cozy kitchen scene with three individuals. In the foreground, a person with dark hair sits at a table with their chin resting on their hands, looking up at an adult playing a guitar. Behind the table, another adult with long, dark hair leans on a counter, holding a mate gourd. The table is set with pastries and coffee, and the kitchen features hanging pots and a kettle on the stove.

Process

A grayscale process illustration inside a bedroom, where a small child with dark hair stands beside a bed, reaching out to an adult partially visible under the covers. Another adult's head is on the pillow next to them.

Process Image 1

A grayscale process illustration of a child with dark hair and wide eyes looking excitedly at pastries through a glass display case in a bakery, with hands pressed against the glass. A hand in the foreground uses tongs to pick up a pastry, and the blurred legs of other customers are visible in the background.

Process Image 2

A grayscale process illustration depicting a kitchen scene with three individuals. In the foreground, a child with dark hair sits at a table, looking up at an adult playing a guitar. Another adult with long, dark hair leans on a counter, holding a mug. The table is set with pastries and a mug.

Process Image 3