Vyshyvanka

I feel so soft and new. I am a white linen shirt, waiting for a happy day. Can you feel the tickle of colorful threads on my chest and on my sleeves? They are like little rainbows stitched just for you, full of sunshine and secrets. I am not just any shirt. I was made with lots of love and care. I am a Vyshyvanka. It’s a special name for a special shirt.

A long, long time ago, a kind mother made me. Or maybe it was a grandmother with smiling eyes. She sat by a warm fire, her needle dancing up and down, up and down, pulling colorful threads through me. She used red thread, as red as a sweet berry. She used blue thread, as blue as the big sky. Each tiny stitch was a little wish. It was a wish for the person wearing me to be healthy and strong. It was a wish for them to be happy and safe. This is a very old tradition from a beautiful country called Ukraine. Every flower and pattern she stitched was a secret message of love, like a hug made of thread.

I love being worn for celebrations. I get to go to parties, holidays, and fun festivals. My favorite day is World Vyshyvanka Day, which happens every May when the flowers are blooming. I am a symbol of family and home. When children wear me, they are wearing a story from long, long ago. It’s like getting a hug from their ancestors. I show the world where they come from and that they are loved very much. I am a piece of history that you can spin and dance in.