Heirloom

The charm bracelet is 44 years old; its sterling tarnishes only slightly.  A few wipes of my jewelry cloth and it sparkles like new.  Double circles half-inch in diameter intertwine until they meet at one end of the circular clasp forming an infinite loop with no apparent beginning.   It was my mother’s high school graduation gift received from her wealthy Godmother, Aunt Molly—one of those dear family friends bestowed with the title "aunt” signifying a heart relation as deep as sanguine ties.

My mother presented it to me on 6-12-85, the day of my eighth grade graduation.  It had two charms on it then—my Mother’s graduation cap charm inscribed with her graduation date (6-4-61) and the circle graduation charm celebrating my eighth grade graduation.  Since then its accumulated some new charms—one from my induction into Who’s Who of American College Students (1993), a ballet dancer representing my Emily, and a black cat to remember Ariel. 

I cherish this bracelet for its memories; its weight of my wrist reminds me of family ties.  Of legacies left behind.  Of promises of future generations’ happiness.  It happily clinks against the desk as I type--another of time's metronomes.

The neighborhood jeweler admired its craftsmanship while she fastened my chosen symbols to it.  She lovingly spaced each charm and attached them with care, honoring the heirloom’s sentimental value.

Yes, it should have a martini glass to represent me, but I hesitate to attach one.  I always wonder what will my future grandchildren and great-grand children think?  Oh, I guess by then I’ll be so eccentric that I probably won’t care about my legacy and if I’m represented by an olive in a martini glass.  I need to add a gardening trowel for my favorite hobby, something my Mother and I share.  Of course, I should attach a rolling pin for my Mother as she’s an excellent baker.  There’s a horse charm I have selected to represent Emily’s horse obsession, but as it’s newly acquired, it’s not attached yet.

I hope to add one last charm before presenting it to my daughter on her eighth grade graduation.  A book engraved with the date of publication would be very charming indeed.

I often wonder what tokens Emily will add to the bracelet.  What will her career be?  Where will her passion lie?  Will she find lasting love?

Most of all, I hope she attaches a heart engraved with the initials of her true love; a charm bracelet is rather incomplete without one.