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Writing a pysanka is a time of quiet contemplation akin to prayer. It’s a time to think about hopes and dreams for a better future, for the things that are most important for the world and what our part is in making those happen.

Red symbolizes love and joy. Green is the renewal that comes with spring. Diamond and square shapes represent plowed fields.

A star, a cross, Ukraine’s colours. A pysanka is written in hot beeswax with a kistka, which is like a fountain pen, only filled with melted wax rather than ink. The metal tip of the kistka is held over a candle flame, then dipped onto a cake of beeswax. The carbon from the candle darkens the wax so it’s the colour of black ink and it’s easy to see where the wax is applied to the egg. The first step is to cover up everything the artist wishes to remain white, then to soak the egg in the next lightest colour of dye – in this case yellow. Then the artist covers with wax everything that will be yellow, then soaks in the next lightest colour of dye. After all of the colours are applied, the wax is melted off.

In pysanka symbolism, the waves represent everlasting life, the star is rebirth, the cross is Christ, but also the four corners of the world. A pysanka, a written egg, is a wish, hope and prayer for the future.

A star in pysanka (written egg) art represents renewal and rebirth. The Trizub is the ancient symbol for Ukraine. This is my hope and prayer for Ukraine.

This was all I could take with me as I fled my homeland.

Something that is common here in Canada is not necessarily common for a kid newly arrived. A weird but tasty Canadian food: carrot cake and strawberry jello!