While going through my mom’s things the last time, I finally found her jewelry box. She didn’t have anything fine and most of what she did have, she had already given to me since she rarely went out her last few years.
I have a beautiful necklace that belonged to my great grandmother in Italy. I have earrings that my mom got in Greece and a large pendant she got in Mexico.
In her jewelry box I found things that brought back such memories! I found her original wedding set and other souvenirs from around the world. Lots of it was tarnished or in disrepair.
One ring I found looked much nicer than anything else in the box. I pulled it out and slipped it on.
As I went through things, my dad started talking about my mom and how she never asked for anything. But on one trip to Europe she found a piece that she just loved and begged him to get it for her. He searched his memory and tried to tell me what it was. He talked of a face and Italy so I pulled out an Italian coin that had been made into a charm. “No, that’s not it“ he said.
He continued talking about a face and I looked at the cameo ring I had just put on my finger. I held up my hand and asked if this was what he was talking about. He said yes.
I kept the ring and wear it now most days. I considered leaving it home when I got ready to go out of town recently, but decided that my mom stayed in the house the last few years of her life, so she needed to go out. So I brought it along.
Every time I get ready to head out for a new adventure, I put it on and think how fortunate I am to be out and experiencing the world.
The ring reminds me to go and do more, see more, experience more. I love taking her ring and spirit along on my adventures.
