In Francisco Jimenez's "The Circuit", what is symbolized by the mother's old pot?

Mama's pot serves as a symbol of Mama herself.... a symbol of her past, her hard work, and the ups and downs along the way. It is a symbol of her perseverance and strength of character.

Everything was packed except Mama’s pot. It was an old large galvanized pot she had picked up at an army surplus store in Santa Maria the year I was born. The pot had many dents and nicks, and the more dents and nicks it acquired the more Mama liked it. "Mi olla," she used to say proudly.