Thanks, Baba, for the Embroidery – Still Miss You

One of the themes at the recent Editors Canada 2018 Conference in Saskatoon, SK, was indigenous issues, and several indigenous writers and editors spoke about the importance of “remember where you come from.”

This is where I come from.

Baba Ukrainian embroidery cemetary

An aunt found this embroidery, obviously meant for a Ukrainian men’s shirt, and she thought Baba must have embroidered if for me. So my aunt insisted that I take it, and when Yumi and I later drove up to the family farm, we visited Baba’s grave and I thanked her.

She lived a tough pioneer life for many of her years, and yet she had love and comfort for all.

And in the packet. . . It’s like she just walked away from it minutes ago . . .

Baba's Ukriainian embroidery needles and thread