Vera Sytch's Posts
May I come with you?
Sometimes what we consider burdens turn out to be blessings. Take the day I wanted to go for a bike ride alone in Kopychyntsi, my husband's hometown in Ukraine - and the town my father was born in. My daughter Kalyna begged to go with me, but I wanted to go by myself.
"I'll be stopping a lot to take pictures," I warned her, knowing how she dislikes my constant picture taking. "Pictures of houses..."
...and street scenes..."
...and people."
I don't want to hear any complaints about how much I stop, and that I take too many pictures!"
I hoped this would discourage her, but Kalyna agreed not to complain, so I reluctantly let her come with me - but only to the end of the street. Or so I thought.
When we arrived at the end of the street, we were, unexpectedly, at the very edge of town. Beyond were open fields.
Kalyna accompanied me down the bumpy dirt road and continued to explore with me. Soon we were far from the town in the middle of extensive fields - fields of wheat and corn and barley.
"May I pick some of the wildflowers?" Kalyna asked. Here were the wild poppies that I'd heard so much about from my parents, the wildflowers of the Old Country.
When she'd picked a large bouquet of flowers, Kalyna asked, "Do you know how to make a wreath out of flowers?" A wreath of flowers worn on the head is part of the traditional Ukrainian costume.
By now I'd come to enjoy Kalyna's company. We were both enchanted by this isolated place we'd found, a place right out of the childhood stories I'd grown up with, stories of Cossacks on horseback and war and young maidens. I wove a wreath of flowers, which Kalyna proudly wore.
We rode on through the fields in what felt like the middle of nowhere, exploring a land I'd heard so much about as a child. Suddenly we came across a woman walking through the fields towards a small, brightly painted blue house. It was the only house in sight.
"Come in, come in," the woman invited us. "Have some coffee. I dreamt that I'd have guests today!"
Like most Ukrainians, she was extremely hospitable. While I drank coffee, Kalyna played with kittens and the woman chatted with me — and discovered my husband and her son were acquaintances!
This ride with Kalyna, which I started out grudgingly, is one of my favorite memories of the summer.
Comments
Posted By: Dorothy Purge (4/24/2009)
Comment: Hello Vera: It's a pleasure viewing your 'photos especially De javu - the stories about real life. I am reminded that 'waste' is a terrible crime. Keep on snapping! Regards. Dorothy Purge Kingston, Jamaica West Indies
Posted By: TYDRANNANGODE (7/31/2008)
Comment: http://diamondofsou.blog.creep.ru/ - детск3/4е п3/4 1/23/4 ф3/4т3/4г афии <a href=http://myangel.blog.creep.ru/>бесплат1/2ые усские п3/4 1/23/4 сайты</a> <a href=http://brilliant.blog.creep.ru/>детская э 3/4тика п3/4 1/23/4</a>
Posted By: Deanna (7/26/2008)
Comment: What a wonderful story, Vera! So many aspects and discoveries. A great example of what we can find if we just stay open to what comes our way. Keep writing and photographing!
Posted By: Roman (7/17/2008)
Comment: Vera, thank you for another touching story and wonderful photographs. It's been a few years since I visited Ukraine; your posts bring back some wonderful memories, and help to hold me over until we are able to go back again.
Posted By: Cyril Catt (7/2/2008)
Comment: I love the way such photos and stories can give me a tiny virtual visit to other lands and people. When my children were small they, too, objected to me taking pictures to prolong the memories of our travels. Now grown, they have begun to enjoy the reminiscences.
Posted By: Yuri Lev Hrynyszyn (7/1/2008)
Comment: Sweet story Vera. How are you? http://www.redbubble.com/people/yurilev
Posted By: Toshi (7/1/2008)
Comment: I'm always impressed by the high-quality of Vera's pohoto work and the stories of people. I'm involved in helping restore Japanese old houses that are built with huge wooden beams without a single nail. I always think people's lives are as important as their old houses-hardware. Vera's people stories with full of history and humanity--I'm thrown into these places she describes.
Posted By: alexsandra (7/1/2008)
Comment: What an enchanting memory! I love these unexpected precious moments of sharing with our children. My favorite picture is Kalyna wearing the wreath. She's beautiful.
Posted By: Nancy Heath (6/30/2008)
Comment: How lovely it turned out for you! And what a beautiful girl Kalyna is!
Posted By: Amanda (6/30/2008)
Comment: wonderful! it's very similar to my grandmother's house... very similar! :)