It was my 14th birthday, and I was ecstatic. My grandmother usually gives me a little bit of money for my birthday, so I was surprised to see a small silver gift bag gently placed on the table with a beautiful blue ribbon. I had no idea what it could possibly be. As soon as my mom told me it was time to open presents, I went straight for the dainty little bag, because the curiosity was killing me.
As I carefully untied the perfect bow that had been tied with the shiny royal blue ribbon, my grandmother said, “You don’t have to like this, but I just wanted you to have it.”
Okay, now I couldn’t wait any longer, what could possibly be in this bag? I managed to slip the ribbon off and I peered into the small bag. At the bottom, there was a small ring. It was a beautiful ring made from gold, with a huge amethyst stone in the center. My grandmother told me that this ring had been passed down in her family for over one hundred years. She got it from her mother on her 14th birthday as well. I looked closely at the ring and noticed that the gold band had thinned from years upon years of wear. I was honored that she chose to give me this ring. She could have chosen her daughter or another granddaughter, but for some reason that I do not know, she decided to give me this old ring that she holds close to her heart. And, because she loves this ring so much, so do I. I don’t have very many possessions that I have a sentimental attachment to, but this ring I really cherish.
What a beautiful gift with such sentiment behind it. I love that you love it because she did. And I love that you can see its history in the thinning gold. You'll hold on to it and cherish it and think of her every time you see it...and then another lucky 14-year-old girl will be writing about you giving it her someday. Lovely, Allison.
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