Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Emotional bond

My grandmother on my dad's side was a very elegant woman. She exuded grace. I have wonderful memories of her.  Of brushing my hair. Of reading to me. Of hugging me.  Some of my fondest memories are when she would bring me upstairs and show me her collection of beautiful, unique jewelry.  It was something that I always looked forward to.  And I know my grandmother looked forward to it as well.  These occasions usually ended with her letting me take something home. It gave her pleasure. It gave me a 'piece' of her. It brought generations closer. And it passed along a bit of history.

Recently, while my girls were playing with my jewelry, they pulled one out that I had not seen in a long time. It was one of the many pieces that my grandmother gave me.  I probably had this necklace for at least 20 years. I played with it in the same way that my girls now play with my necklaces.  Knowing it's beautiful. After all, it was my grandmother's.  She was beautiful. By association, I was beautiful.  And what I can't believe, in all the years that it was in my possession, I never truly looked at it. Well, this time, when my girls were in bed and I was cleaning up. I looked at it for the first time.  The word beautiful doesn't even begin to describe it. It's more than that.


The letters MIZPAH are engraved on the front.  

Mizpah. 

I was curious. Intrigued.  This is what I found.

Mizpah is an emotional bond between people who are separated (either physically or by death). Mizpah jewelry is worn to signify this bond, and the word "mizpah" can often be found on headstones in cemeteries and on other memorials. From Genesis 31:49 of the Bible  (Wikipedia)


Emotional bond. 

I am now even more curious. I want to know who gave it to her. How long has it been in the family?  I may never know the answers to these questions. But what I do know, is that this necklace has a story. This story. Our story. And this necklace, my grandmother's necklace, will be passed down to one of my girls. Starting & creating one of many family traditions.  One thing is for sure, I will never look at this necklace the same, and I will never not look at this necklace again.



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1 comment:

  1. Jane Hemmings10 March 2012 at 14:28

    Beth, your blog about your grandmother, my auntie Iris, brought back memories of two gifts in particular which she gave me. One was a rectangular Wedgewood dish about 3 1/2"x 6 1/2". I was probably around 15 years old and so delighted with it that I persuaded my mum to redecorate my room in Wedgewood blue and white; bedspread, wallpaper and the finishing touch, my little dish on the dresser. So pretty was the room in fact that a friend of the family had her pre wedding photos taken in my room as those colours reflected the colour scheme of her day! If it would be of interest, I would like to gift it to you Beth.
    The other gift I well remember was a tiny compact with mirror and powder puff inside. The cover was a carved cameo and I thought it was beautiful. I believe it was a graduation gift which I always carried in a little clutch to weddings, proms etc.
    Your grandmother was a lady who appreciated everything she had. Her home was her castle and she was definitely Uncle Harold's queen. Thanks for bringing these things to mind Beth. Affectionately, cousin Jane

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