Post written 1/12/13
The other day when we were at the zoo, my sister Kimberly sent a text to Brittany and I showing us how she was wearing one of the bracelets my mom made. I had to laugh because I too was wearing a bracelet my mom made. So I took a pic and sent it to her.
One of the things that means the absolute most to me is the jewelry I have from my mom. She left her jewelry to her daughters in her note. My mom had a TON of jewelry. It was something she really enjoyed. She also really enjoyed making bead jewelry. I was amazed at some of the complicated designs she did and how much time she had to put into making these beautiful pieces. There were days that she didn't feel good enough to leave the house but she could put her focus onto beading. I have memories of her hands shaking (a side affect from the medication) but she would still be sitting there beading.
So when we were going through her things, we divided up her jewelry and all got quite a few pieces. We also sold some of it at the garage sale - there was just so much of it that to keep it all was silly. I am appreciative of the money we made from selling her jewelry. I know that members of our family, that she loved, also got pieces she made and I KNOW she would have wanted that. Looking back I might have changed how we did it and given pieces to those she loved and love her but I wouldn't have sold it to strangers.
Her jewelry has brought me comfort and helped me feel close to her. I wear a piece of her jewelry - either a bracelet, necklace, or earrings nearly every day. When I look at them, I think of her. When I get compliments on them, I proudly say "My mom gave it to me". She had great taste. She had a sense of style that I didn't inherit and did an amazing job of looking nice even when her outfit may have come from a second hand store. I like to think she's proud of me for branching out and wearing pieces of her jewelry that might have been outside of my typical style before she passed.
I miss her terribly. I still have a great dad and a step-mom but it's funny to me that with the loss of my mom I have lost a big part of my foundation. There are times I feel like an orphan. She kept me connected with my extended family. She got excited over my successes. She listened when I needed to talk. When a day is going by normally, I forget she's gone. Then I will think about telling her something or see something she'd like and I remember that she's gone. The worst thing is the finality of it - she's gone for the rest of my life.
But I appreciate the way I feel like I have her with me when I wear her jewelry. She was extremely talented. Thank you Mom!
ALL this jewelry was hers
A purple bracelet she made for me
She made such a variety of styles
Amazing detailed work
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