heirlooms

the last 10 years or so of my grandmother eunice's life, she would select various items of hers or my grandfather's that she thought her daughter or grandchildren might like and gave those as gifts.  

 one year she gave me a crystal dish and another year an antique watch.  one Christmas she wrapped this necklace in holly paper for me.  i treasure this particular heirloom not only due to its obvious beauty, but because it belonged to her.  and even more-so because this little piece carries a story and a bit of my own history.

in the mid-1930's, a particular gentlemen sold dresses door to door in "ark city", kansas.  one day he appeared at eunice's door.  the convincing salesman not only sold her a dress, but sold her on a date as well. 


not too much later when jim proposed to eunice, he gave her this diamond necklace in lieu of an engagement ring.


in the late-1990's, eunice gave it to me, her then unmarried granddaughter.  it was a token of hope for me that one day a man might propose to me. and as the wait stretched on, i would wear this necklace...daring to hope.  

though he didn't sell me a dress at the door, a certain man did indeed sell me on a second date and then a third.  when he knew i was sure of his love, on bended knee he gave me a diamond that he had chosen for me.  one more beautiful than i ever would have chosen.


more than one year later, this sparkling gem on my finger still catches my eye, and i revel in the chapters recently added to my own story.