I’m wearing my grandma’s necklace today.
It was before she died and I was at her house. We were getting ready for Easter mass and I had just finished dressing. My grandma looked me over and told me, “Jacque, you need a necklace with that outfit. Go into my room with your mom and pick one out.”
My grandmother was one of the most fashion conscious people I know. She was always the most elegant looking lady. Her make up and hair were always just so and her outfits were so neat and put together. She always had matching earrings and a necklace no matter where she was going.
I was elated. I had never worn her jewelry before. As little girls we had always admired her collection of beautiful beads and chains. Years of browsing through
My mom took me in her bedroom and on the back of the bedroom door was what seemed like hundreds of necklaces. I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to pick out. But then, I saw it. This very simple gold chain with tiny little clumps of white beads evenly spaced on it.
My mom helped me put it on and I admired it in the mirror. I could hear my grandma calling from the dining room table while playing solitaire, “Jacque, come in here and let me see it.”
I sauntered into the dining room like a model in the most prized gown as she snickered at my goofiness. I let her see what I had chosen and she was happy with my choice. I told her how pretty I thought it was and thanked her for letting me borrow it for the day.
“You keep it. That necklace is yours now.” Despite my protest she insisted that I keep it. She told me, “Then you will have something of mine.”
I felt really good. I wore the necklace any time I dressed up. I told everyone that commented on it that my grandma gave it too me. I even wore it to her house after she gave it to me and she would tell me how nice it was. She would forget that it was originally hers and I would remind her. She would laugh and laugh…
She died two years later in March and every time I saw this necklace the memory flooded back to me and I would hear her voice… “You keep it…It’s yours now”. I couldn’t bear to wear it without crying but time passed and it got easier. Even so, I would keep it only for special occasions since it’s the only thing I have from her like that.
This morning I had a ‘wardrobe malfunction’ with the outfit I was planning on wearing today. I had to grab another outfit and jewelry quick to make it to work on time. Without realizing it, I chose the outfit that works with grandma’s necklace and I put it on.
Today must be a special occasion.
4 comments:
perfect weather for a special day!
Every day you remember your grandmother is a special occasion.
My grandfather did something very similar with a ring. He and my grandmother had a jewelry business, so he had a ton of stuff kept in a vault.
I took him to the bank, he got his big box out of the giant safe. He took some rings and put them in a pouch. Before he died, he gave me one...it had a cool tiger eye in the middle.
Everytime I see the ring, I think of him.
I miss her. I think of her often. And even though I wasn't there when she gave you the necklace. I can so hear her saying that. She was a VERY Special Lady.
J' you made tears come to my eyes. One dosen't realize how special some thing's (people) are till they are gone.... Hope her and Amy are playing Spit and Malace together now.... Auntie Ants..
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