Powerful. While the ring is an object, the jewelry's history holds so much legacy, you now rightly honor your family's struggles by wearing it rather than keeping it in a box. That made an impact on me, someone who doesn't think much about jewelry.
Oh wow, what a story of resilience and matriarchy and love. Your grandmother ending her life early is heartbreaking, the things these women went through...my Grandmother's name is Gertrud also. Same kind of Weimar backstory.
I have a few of her gold necklaces passed down from my mother before she died. For me also, the most precious of jewels. Thank you for sharing. These are the stories that keep us connected.
Dhana, thank you! It’s really cool hearing from someone who has a similar history. The only memory I have of my grandmother is watching a Texas lightning storm from inside an airstream trailer. We both were lying on the little bed in the back and watching the sky light up. I’m so glad to have this totem of her strength.
I was fascinated by your ring, but even more by the women who wore it before you and the lives they carried behind them. The image of them sewing jewels into their dresses and leaving everything they knew stayed with me. It made the ring feel less like a piece of jewellery and more like a thread connecting one generation of women to the next.
I completely understood what you meant about not hiding it away in a box. When my grandmother sadly passed away, I inherited her wide gold wedding ring. I wear it every day and often find myself looking down at it and thinking of her.
There have been times in my life when I genuinely felt as though it carried a little of her strength with it. During the loss of our hotel, the threat of bankruptcy and some very difficult years, I found comfort in wearing it.
Your piece felt like a reminder that these objects are never really just objects. They carry stories, resilience, love and sometimes pain from the people who came before us.
Thank you so much for reading and for your comment. There are so few physical things that I take comfort in and this ring is incredibly special to me. It’s been a tumultuous few years for me, and it gives me solace and strength.
Beautiful. I, too, have a diamond ring from my beloved Gramma, given to me the day I graduated high school. I am happy to say that she witnessed me cherish it and wear it for over thirty-five years, until her death at 97 in 1999.
Powerful. While the ring is an object, the jewelry's history holds so much legacy, you now rightly honor your family's struggles by wearing it rather than keeping it in a box. That made an impact on me, someone who doesn't think much about jewelry.
Oh wow, what a story of resilience and matriarchy and love. Your grandmother ending her life early is heartbreaking, the things these women went through...my Grandmother's name is Gertrud also. Same kind of Weimar backstory.
I have a few of her gold necklaces passed down from my mother before she died. For me also, the most precious of jewels. Thank you for sharing. These are the stories that keep us connected.
Dhana, thank you! It’s really cool hearing from someone who has a similar history. The only memory I have of my grandmother is watching a Texas lightning storm from inside an airstream trailer. We both were lying on the little bed in the back and watching the sky light up. I’m so glad to have this totem of her strength.
I was fascinated by your ring, but even more by the women who wore it before you and the lives they carried behind them. The image of them sewing jewels into their dresses and leaving everything they knew stayed with me. It made the ring feel less like a piece of jewellery and more like a thread connecting one generation of women to the next.
I completely understood what you meant about not hiding it away in a box. When my grandmother sadly passed away, I inherited her wide gold wedding ring. I wear it every day and often find myself looking down at it and thinking of her.
There have been times in my life when I genuinely felt as though it carried a little of her strength with it. During the loss of our hotel, the threat of bankruptcy and some very difficult years, I found comfort in wearing it.
Your piece felt like a reminder that these objects are never really just objects. They carry stories, resilience, love and sometimes pain from the people who came before us.
A very poignant piece. 🌹
Thank you so much for reading and for your comment. There are so few physical things that I take comfort in and this ring is incredibly special to me. It’s been a tumultuous few years for me, and it gives me solace and strength.
I’m not surprised and let it continue further down the generations 🌹
Beautiful. I, too, have a diamond ring from my beloved Gramma, given to me the day I graduated high school. I am happy to say that she witnessed me cherish it and wear it for over thirty-five years, until her death at 97 in 1999.
Thank you for reading and sharing, Dianne. It’s an honor to carry these women’s lives with us, isn’t it?
Yes, absolutely. I learned everything important from them.....
Beautiful, poignant essay. Such a valuable object in so many ways.
Thank you, Vincent! I'm grateful to get the chance to share.
Beautiful important story.
Thank you!
Thank you Laura!
Thank you for reading! It’s an honor to have my story shared.
My pleasure! I’m so excited to read more of your work! - GenXer 🙂
Yay! Be sure to follow Geezer magazine—that’s where the most Gen Xy stuff goes. 🤘😊
Who you calling Geezer? 😅😅😅
Ha! I'm publishing a piece on Geezer's (unexpectedly controversial) name next week. Stay tuned!
Oh brother. Why does it even have to be controversial? Being able to easily laugh at yourself is a big component of happiness. 🙂