Connections

My daughter surprised me recently at her wedding.  While getting dressed, she came over and showed me what jewelry she was wearing.  She had chosen to wear my Great-Grandmother’s cameo and a beautiful cameo ring that had belonged to my mother.  Not surprisingly I became tearful, realizing the significance of my daughter including such important mementos of our past into a day that was all about celebrating her future. 

My mother passed away a few years ago, and although I miss her terribly, I know how happy Mom would have been to be there, watching her beautiful redhead granddaughter getting married.  As I looked at Mom’s cameo ring on Rachael's finger, I remember when Mom bought it, and I remember her telling me that she would like Rachael to have it some day.  I thought about how happy Mom would be to see Rachael looking so beautiful, and wearing that ring. It was such a lovely wedding, and my daughter glowed with happiness, as any bride should.  I know that Mom was there with us. 

As I thought about that cameo, I thought about my great-grandmother who brought it with her from Europe when she was a young girl.  The cameo has such a special history; how it had been passed down from my great-grandmother to my grandma then to my mother and then to me, eventually it found its way to Rachael. 

Including the cameo was such a special connection to the women in my family, my fiercely independent mother, my courageous and kind Grandma, and my Great-grandmother who emigrated here so long ago.  Each of these women were the inspiration for my short story TheLocket.  They are each a special part of my history, and there was something so incredible seeing their legacy continue on through my amazing daughter.  Rachael got to wear the jewelry of her namesake, cementing her place in a long  line of woman who I admire.