My object is from Poland. It is a colorful vest that is used to celebrate a holiday called “Boże Ciało” (in English, Corpus Christi). This holiday means that Jesus has risen from the dead. During this holiday, people dress in fine clothing and toss flowers on the streets (which have been closed for this special occasion) in front of the cross which is carried by one of the priests of the church. Huge crowds march before the hoisted cross, little girls wearing these “Gorsety” (in English called a corset), while boys wear tuxedos and ties. A Gorset is handmade, made of black wool, with pretty sequins, handknit decorations, and rainbow-colored ribbons hanging from one shoulder.I chose this item because it represents my family (who all live/lived in Poland), as it was passed down from my grandmother (dad’s mom), to my aunt, then to me, and now it is being used by my sister. This also carries a story that I have been told many times:Before I even existed, my mom and my grandma were at their house (both lived in one house with my dad and my grandpa at the time), my grandmother cleaning out her closet. All of a sudden, grandma pulled out aunt Kasia’s (Katie’s) over-30-year-old Gorset from the back of the closet. She handed it to mom, after which she announced:“This will be for my granddaughter.”And so it was, that 9 months after Marie Pozna ska (grandmother) passed away, a new member of the family was born, that everybody says ‘till today, looks just like her grandma.

– Patrycja

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant