A String of Pearls makes a Happy Girl
My papa was in the army a very long time. Stationed places like Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Germany, and France, all my moms brothers and sister as well as herself were born abroad, as was my Mimis first son, who sadly only lived to be a few months old.
When my mom was born, they happened to be in France, which I found fascinating as I was growing up. It made my mom seem so much more interesting and exotic.
In 1998, Bobby Ray Ball, my papa, a decorated soldier, had a heart attack, and died instantly. This would be the most devestating loss of my life to that point, and I grieved that beloved man so deeply, it left me afraid of loss all together. I never wanted to feel that kind of grief again.
Since that period in my life, I have lost more close family members, 2 aunts, a granpa inlaw, a few friends. And I think I have come to a place of peace of sorts. I understand that I cry for me, not for them.
This year, as an early birthday gift, my mom brought me a green box. I had givien my brother a pearl necklace to give to his girlfriend that weekend, and Mom said she felt like it was time that I got my first Sebruary gift.
Inside of a lime green jewlery box was a sterling silver necklas, with a pendant, and set inside the pendant was a pearl. There were also matching earings. It was in its original box Papa had given to my mimi, in 1961, after she had my mom. Mom and mimi had both decided that nobody would appreciate it quite like I would.
I was overwhelmed, because Ive read letters from them when he was in one place and she in another with the children, Ive seen the pictures, and felt lucky to have 2 people who loved echother so much, be role models in my life.
But now, here in my antique green box, bought in France, I get to hold on to a small tangible part of that love they shared for so many years.
Now, that is something to cherish.
It most certainly is : )