Jewelry Box Q & A with Faith

Sometimes I am astounded when I think about how rapidly my life moves.  There's the daily rush to get out of the house and to work on time, and then for the next seven hours I move with the herd at the sound of the bell while rushing to make copies, deadlines and a difference.  Finally, the day wraps up with homework, sibling rivalry, a catch-as-catch-can dinner and bedtime routines.  My head hits the pillow with thoughts of tomorrow's rush and a serious longing for the weekend.

However, this morning, even in the midst of the haste, Faith forced me to slow down and enjoy the moment I was in.  She woke with a smile instead of her typical scowl, she was satisfied with the clothing options for the day, and her hair was only "a little bit tangled."  While I brushed her hair she browsed my jewelry box...on any other day I'd have told her we didn't have time for that.  She fingered colorful costume jewelry, stacked her fingers with shiny rings and asked questions...lots of questions.  Simple questions, the who, what and where of the pieces -- she wanted the stories that I hid in my jewelry box. 

She asked and I answered.  I told her about the claddagh ring I got from my Grammie on my 13th birthday...my most embarrassing birthday ever. 

"Why, mom?"

"Because, everyone...I mean everyone...in my family came to my basketball game, brought balloons and sang happy birthday to me."

"Grammie was really nice to give you a ring."

She giggled, set the ring aside and picked up another one.

"That was the ring I wore when I was pregnant with my babies...when my real wedding ring wouldn't fit."

"Can I wear one to school?"

"Nope."

More smiles, more questions...Hair brushed, pony tail finished.  Hurry, hurry...rush, rush.  Time to go.

I sent her downstairs for her shoes, backpack and coat.  But, first I slipped a ring onto my own finger --a starburst sapphire ring, in a silver setting that my dad had given to my mom when they were dating.  I remember inheriting the ring from my mom, after eyeing it countless times in her jewelry box. In recent years, looking at that ring sit in my jewelry box brought frustration and animosity, but today it made me happy...so I put it on and resumed the rush.

My day was even more hectic than a typical Wednesday, but I was steadied by my time with Faith and by the ring on my right hand. Today, I know that it is more than a castaway object tied to old memories; instead it's a keepsake with a story of its own.  That conversation with Faith might have lasted 3 minutes, but they were the best 3 minutes of my day.  Those minutes were filled with wonder, interest and a reverence for items hidden inside my simple little jewelry box.