This weekend, I was experimenting with using some macro lens filters
and the extreme angles of which my new tripod
is capable, and I captured some images of my most prized possessions: my mom's rings. I figured since they are indeed so important to me, maybe I'd share them with you too. Read on for more pictures and their stories.
The two flashier ones on the left I've had and worn for years. The pearl one in particular is a real showstopper, but these were just gifts she received from suitors back in the day (see point #5 of this post). And yes, one of them is an engagement ring that someone let her keep even after she'd graciously declined the offer. So, they don't hold a ton of sentimental value, per se, but they obviously make me think of my mom. Specifically, I always think of this picture where she seems to be rocking every ring she owned pretty hard, but once she married my dad, she never wore any of these gifted rings again. So, yeah, I had a pretty awesome collection of rings that I've gotten to wear my entire life. Be jealous.
and the extreme angles of which my new tripod
is capable, and I captured some images of my most prized possessions: my mom's rings. I figured since they are indeed so important to me, maybe I'd share them with you too. Read on for more pictures and their stories.The two flashier ones on the left I've had and worn for years. The pearl one in particular is a real showstopper, but these were just gifts she received from suitors back in the day (see point #5 of this post). And yes, one of them is an engagement ring that someone let her keep even after she'd graciously declined the offer. So, they don't hold a ton of sentimental value, per se, but they obviously make me think of my mom. Specifically, I always think of this picture where she seems to be rocking every ring she owned pretty hard, but once she married my dad, she never wore any of these gifted rings again. So, yeah, I had a pretty awesome collection of rings that I've gotten to wear my entire life. Be jealous.
It's this one in particular -- the most modest of the set -- that is the most important to me, as it was to her.
This ring belonged to my grandmother, and it didn't become mine until my mom had passed away just 4 months ago. I never met my grandmother Velvie, as she met a tragic end far too soon when my mom was in her early 20s -- an event that very obviously broke my mom's heart and had a heavy hand in defining who my mom was for the rest of her life. For this reason, this ring was easily one of my mom's most prized possessions.
In fact, on the day of my mom's funeral, we weren't sure whether we should send the ring with her or keep it -- a decision we couldn't even bring ourselves to make until just moments before they closed the casket for the last time. I'm glad we made the decision we did. In fact, we remembered the regret my mom felt that they had left certain sentimental jewelry with her mother.
Neither side of my family is that kind that has heirlooms or fine jewelry that they pass down for generations, which makes this modest little ring all the more special. Eventually I might replace the diamond chip that was lost somewhere along the way, but for now, I have a hard time taking it off at all. I know it's just a thing, a worldly possession, but I feel so lucky to have this little reminder of my beautiful mom.
What about you? Do you have a "most" prized possession? Or something with sentimental value?
In fact, on the day of my mom's funeral, we weren't sure whether we should send the ring with her or keep it -- a decision we couldn't even bring ourselves to make until just moments before they closed the casket for the last time. I'm glad we made the decision we did. In fact, we remembered the regret my mom felt that they had left certain sentimental jewelry with her mother.
Neither side of my family is that kind that has heirlooms or fine jewelry that they pass down for generations, which makes this modest little ring all the more special. Eventually I might replace the diamond chip that was lost somewhere along the way, but for now, I have a hard time taking it off at all. I know it's just a thing, a worldly possession, but I feel so lucky to have this little reminder of my beautiful mom.
What about you? Do you have a "most" prized possession? Or something with sentimental value?
Love this! I think wearing something from a loved one is such a great memento and treasure.
ReplyDeleteI have a necklace in the shape of Africa that my mom got from a guy she was engaged to before my dad. It had no meaning for her, but I love Africa, so I love that I got it. (Yay for romances that don't work but involve jewelry?)My grandmother gave me a tiny diamond necklace out of the blue a few years ago that my grandfather had given her--that's probably my most sentimental piece.
Beautiful photos of your precious heirlooms and your mom looks gorgeous. I've some earrings that my mom got from my dad after a trip to Paris in the 60's, they are so precious to me:-) Great tripod, I have a manfrotto on my wish list. thanks for sharing Mandy
ReplyDeleteI am so amazed by sentimental objects that I just wrote a paper about their presence in Jewish literature. I'm amazed at how quickly I became attached to/obsessed with my wedding band.
ReplyDelete