For Mimi

My grandmother will turn 87 on Sunday. In honor of the occasion, I made her a necklace. It’s a three-strand with sterling silver and Swarovski crystal beads as birthstones. The first strand represents her 4 children. The second, her 7 grandchildren. The third, her 8 great-grandchildren. It’s something I’ve wanted to make for her since I learned how to make jewelry about a year ago. Each crystal bead is surrounded by silver beads – depending on the child. For example, my mother has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. All 6 of those crystal beads are surrounded by the same silver beads. But those silver beads are different than my Aunt J’s and her 2 children and 3 grandchildren. And the clasp in the back is surrounded by my grandmother’s and grandfather’s birthstones.

Last weekend we went to visit her and give her an early birthday gift. It was something I wanted to hand-deliver. Thankfully, the Princess didn’t reveal any secrets and just handed her the box. When she opened it up, I think she knew immediately what it was: she’d seen some of my other jewelry and even if she hadn’t figured out what all the beads meant, she knew I made it just for her. As I explained what each bead meant, her eyes watered. So did mine. It’s neat to give something to someone that truly comes from the heart. It’s even neater to see how much they love what you’ve done.

So that she will always remember what everything means, I wrote her this poem. I share it with you as my newest blog entry.

Family Tree

It stared many moons ago
with two strong souls in love
committed to making the best of come what may
and grow in family
solid and unbreakable

Two souls created four
and a legacy began
passing on values of
faith
loyalty
truth

Four became independent ones
in an ever changing world
talking what they learned from two
growing
changing
living with joy

Those four started families
adding seven to the clan
Branches of the tree keep
reaching
stretching
taking pride

Seven learned from four to
laugh and love and care
keep moving forward
stand up when they fall
never give up

Seven added eight
perhaps with more to come
we watch, listen, learn
hope the love that’s trickled down
will pass along to them

Now four generations strong
with memories to share
doing our best to
stay true
keep learning
take nothing for granted

Holding us together
our faith
in each other
in God
forever holding us
in love