The Family Jewels

I stopped by my aunt's on Sunday for a triple birthday party. Three different birthdays in one month, so they throw one communal shebang for all. While I was there my aunt offered to loan me some of my grandmother's jewelry to use on my wedding day. I don't remember that much about my grandmother. She died when I was six, and my most vivid memories of her are of playing cards, Cinnamon Life cereal and the beautiful dollhouse furniture that she made herself and gave to me. More than my own memories of her, I have heard many stories from my parents and other relatives about her, and have gathered that she was a practical yet adventurous, testy but generous, creative and caring woman who successfully raised my father and his four siblings through wonderful and devastating times. Here's a photo of her with my grandfather:

While some of these stories involved motorcycles, roller skating and historical reenactments, none mention jewelry. As we looked through the assembled necklaces, bracelets and earrings, I wondered where she had worn them, and if they had played a role in any of the stories that had been told to me.

My grandmother died at Christmastime. She had already gotten gifts for the family, and it must have been bittersweet for all that year, opening those gifts and knowing that they were the last ones we’d ever receive from her. As a six year old I didn’t fully understand what was happening, and as my parents gave me my Christmas present from Grandma, they told me that it was a gift from heaven. I unwrapped the china doll with awe, never having received such an offering. Heaven seemed farther away than even the North Pole.

This year would have been my grandmother’s 100th birthday. My aunt arranged an honorary Mass to be said, with a family gathering afterward. It was great to see everyone together, and a touching remembrance of a life. I haven’t decided which pieces I’m going to wear for my wedding, but it’s heartwarming to know that gifts from heaven still appear from time to time, usually just when you need them.