Looking into moms jewelry is like walking down memory lane. Inside her jewelry box was an assortment of various types of jewelry, both precious and costume items that meant something special to her. She still had her first pearl ear rings that was given to her when she was 12 years old by my grandmother. My mom and her sisters went off to boarding school when she was 8 years old. Those were tough times for her as she was the eldest girl in the family. She lived with my grandmothers sister while attending grade school.
Though she was with family, it was hard for an 8 year old having to spend Christmas away from my grand parents. Those pair of ear rings pearl skirting board with sterling silver looked a bit worn and tarnished but had that sense of character and history that made that jewelry important. She told us that it was an heirloom piece as it came from my great grandmother, and may have been more than 80 years old. My mom wore them for special occasions when she was younger like birthday parties and formal dinners, which was frequent since my grand aunt was married to a politician who later became the vice president of the country.
There was also this bracelet which was given to her by one of her best friends her first cousin, Auntie Ludy. Auntie Ludy and mom were of the same age and like my mom, she also went to boarding school at a very young age, most likely the same age as when my mom went. They spent weekends together as well, and had grown closer in the absence of their respective parents. Perhaps Auntie Ludy was her sounding board but they lead the same kind of lives as both my mom and she got married to their respective spouses at the same time. When Auntie Ludy was in her early 30s, she passed away from cancer. I remember attending her wake as a young boy and it seemed such a sad day for everyone. My mom wore that bracelet during the funeral services and kinda held unto through out that time.
That bracelet remains in moms jewelry box to this day, encased in a transparent resealable plastic. There was some interesting costume jewelry that my mom had. One was a pair of floral earrings distinctly big as it looked like yellow sunflowers. This was the jewelry my sister used in her first ballet show she ever did. It was part of moms jewelry because it reminded her of how my sister stole the show, the youngest participant at age 6 dancing or rather prancing around in her flower costume with big clip on ear rings to booth. I actually dont remember that show or perhaps I wasnt there. There are many other items in moms jewelry that may be of precious value while others are not but all in all, the memories behind these jewelries are the ones that make them invaluable.
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