Flowers for Jimmy
Tracy stared at her reflection in the cheval mirror. She hated the dress. She hated because she knew Jimmy would hate it. High necked, long sleeves, and itchy wool: her mother had purchased it for her at Gimbles, because it was her mothers idea of what was appropriate to welcome her brother home. But Jimmy would HATE it.
Her older brother, Jimmy, had been headed to art school after high school. He’d been accepted into the prestigious CalArts program, and was headed off to pursue his dream when Uncle Sam came knocking. He had graduated high school in May of 1967, and was shipped off to Vietnam in August.
Today, Jimmy was coming home. Tracy knew that the stark, modest dress her mother had chosen would make Jimmy cringe. He loved bright colors, flowing fabrics, natural elements. Tracy had dozens of Jimmy’s floral sketches pinned to her bedroom wall, his repeated sketches of daisies being her favorite. Flowers were one of his specialties, and his abstract representations of those natural beauties helped Tracy feel close to him even when he was thousands of miles away. For the last two years they had exchanged letters and photos. He’d supported her through the first years of high school, and she had listened to his stories of war. They were as close as two siblings could be, and today he was coming home.
Tracy knew she couldn’t wear the dress her mother selected. No matter what her mother thought, it wasn’t appropriate to welcome Jimmy home. She looked around her room, determined to welcome Jimmy home in the way she knew he would prefer. Her eyes landed on the skirt for her nightstand: chambric blue background with bold slashes of bright green and yellow, red and white daisies. Perfect. That was perfect. Tracy quickly stripped the cover off the table, and plugged in her sewing machine. It was already midnight, but her bedroom was across the house from her parents so they wouldn’t hear her. All night long she worked, until at dawn she stood in front of her cheval mirror in a flowing skirt and matching top of bright daisies and embroidery.
Her mother tried to insist that she change, as Tracy knew she would, but Tracy was insistent. Her mother capitulated as the landing time for Jimmy’s plane got close. As they left the house Tracy grabbed a handful of the fresh Shasta daisies from the garden. She couldn’t greet Jimmy empty handed.
They arrived at the airport and were taken to the tarmac where the soldiers were disembarking. Tracy saw a group of teens with posters protesting the war, yelling and spitting at the soldiers, but that isn’t where Jimmy would be exiting the plane.
Tracy looked up as a solider in his dress uniform approached her family. He saluted her parents, and asked them to follow him. They were lead to the back of the plane, where the cargo ramp was lowered. This is where they would greet Jimmy. As Tracy waited, flag draped coffins began to descend the ramp. Soldiers stood in either side saluting their departed brethren. The fifth coffin out was announced “Lt James Hawthorne”, and her family stepped forward. As her mother and father wept Tracy laid the bouquet of daisies on the coffin, and whispered “welcome home Jimmy.“
Tracy stared at her reflection in the cheval mirror. She hated the dress. She hated because she knew Jimmy would hate it. High necked, long sleeves, and itchy wool: her mother had purchased it for her at Gimbles, because it was her mothers idea of what was appropriate to welcome her brother home. But Jimmy would HATE it.
Her older brother, Jimmy, had been headed to art school after high school. He’d been accepted into the prestigious CalArts program, and was headed off to pursue his dream when Uncle Sam came knocking. He had graduated high school in May of 1967, and was shipped off to Vietnam in August.
Today, Jimmy was coming home. Tracy knew that the stark, modest dress her mother had chosen would make Jimmy cringe. He loved bright colors, flowing fabrics, natural elements. Tracy had dozens of Jimmy’s floral sketches pinned to her bedroom wall, his repeated sketches of daisies being her favorite. Flowers were one of his specialties, and his abstract representations of those natural beauties helped Tracy feel close to him even when he was thousands of miles away. For the last two years they had exchanged letters and photos. He’d supported her through the first years of high school, and she had listened to his stories of war. They were as close as two siblings could be, and today he was coming home.
Tracy knew she couldn’t wear the dress her mother selected. No matter what her mother thought, it wasn’t appropriate to welcome Jimmy home. She looked around her room, determined to welcome Jimmy home in the way she knew he would prefer. Her eyes landed on the skirt for her nightstand: chambric blue background with bold slashes of bright green and yellow, red and white daisies. Perfect. That was perfect. Tracy quickly stripped the cover off the table, and plugged in her sewing machine. It was already midnight, but her bedroom was across the house from her parents so they wouldn’t hear her. All night long she worked, until at dawn she stood in front of her cheval mirror in a flowing skirt and matching top of bright daisies and embroidery.
Her mother tried to insist that she change, as Tracy knew she would, but Tracy was insistent. Her mother capitulated as the landing time for Jimmy’s plane got close. As they left the house Tracy grabbed a handful of the fresh Shasta daisies from the garden. She couldn’t greet Jimmy empty handed.
They arrived at the airport and were taken to the tarmac where the soldiers were disembarking. Tracy saw a group of teens with posters protesting the war, yelling and spitting at the soldiers, but that isn’t where Jimmy would be exiting the plane.
Tracy looked up as a solider in his dress uniform approached her family. He saluted her parents, and asked them to follow him. They were lead to the back of the plane, where the cargo ramp was lowered. This is where they would greet Jimmy. As Tracy waited, flag draped coffins began to descend the ramp. Soldiers stood in either side saluting their departed brethren. The fifth coffin out was announced “Lt James Hawthorne”, and her family stepped forward. As her mother and father wept Tracy laid the bouquet of daisies on the coffin, and whispered “welcome home Jimmy.“
Tracy stared at her reflection in the cheval mirror. She hated the dress. She hated because she knew Jimmy would hate it. High necked, long sleeves, and itchy wool: her mother had purchased it for her at Gimbles, because it was her mothers idea of what was appropriate to welcome her brother home. But Jimmy would HATE it.
Her older brother, Jimmy, had been headed to art school after high school. He’d been accepted into the prestigious CalArts program, and was headed off to pursue his dream when Uncle Sam came knocking. He had graduated high school in May of 1967, and was shipped off to Vietnam in August.
Today, Jimmy was coming home. Tracy knew that the stark, modest dress her mother had chosen would make Jimmy cringe. He loved bright colors, flowing fabrics, natural elements. Tracy had dozens of Jimmy’s floral sketches pinned to her bedroom wall, his repeated sketches of daisies being her favorite. Flowers were one of his specialties, and his abstract representations of those natural beauties helped Tracy feel close to him even when he was thousands of miles away. For the last two years they had exchanged letters and photos. He’d supported her through the first years of high school, and she had listened to his stories of war. They were as close as two siblings could be, and today he was coming home.
Tracy knew she couldn’t wear the dress her mother selected. No matter what her mother thought, it wasn’t appropriate to welcome Jimmy home. She looked around her room, determined to welcome Jimmy home in the way she knew he would prefer. Her eyes landed on the skirt for her nightstand: chambric blue background with bold slashes of bright green and yellow, red and white daisies. Perfect. That was perfect. Tracy quickly stripped the cover off the table, and plugged in her sewing machine. It was already midnight, but her bedroom was across the house from her parents so they wouldn’t hear her. All night long she worked, until at dawn she stood in front of her cheval mirror in a flowing skirt and matching top of bright daisies and embroidery.
Her mother tried to insist that she change, as Tracy knew she would, but Tracy was insistent. Her mother capitulated as the landing time for Jimmy’s plane got close. As they left the house Tracy grabbed a handful of the fresh Shasta daisies from the garden. She couldn’t greet Jimmy empty handed.
They arrived at the airport and were taken to the tarmac where the soldiers were disembarking. Tracy saw a group of teens with posters protesting the war, yelling and spitting at the soldiers, but that isn’t where Jimmy would be exiting the plane.
Tracy looked up as a solider in his dress uniform approached her family. He saluted her parents, and asked them to follow him. They were lead to the back of the plane, where the cargo ramp was lowered. This is where they would greet Jimmy. As Tracy waited, flag draped coffins began to descend the ramp. Soldiers stood in either side saluting their departed brethren. The fifth coffin out was announced “Lt James Hawthorne”, and her family stepped forward. As her mother and father wept Tracy laid the bouquet of daisies on the coffin, and whispered “welcome home Jimmy.“
This one of a kind pullover blouse is re-imagined from a heavy blue cotton tablecloth, accented with vibrant embroidery and red stitching and is 100% handmade by the artist. Tablecloth sourced from England
Measurements Bust 42” maximum, waist 43” maximum, Length 17”
Care Instructions and General Information: This one of a kind blouse is fashioned from a linen that is approximately 70 years old. It should be hand washed in cold water and laid flat to dry. Hot ironing with starch will preserve crispness. Due to the age there may be minor discolorations or areas of wear commiserate with age. This is normal and to be considered as part of the beauty of the garment
NO exchanges or refunds due to the one of a kind nature of the garment