Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

I was in 9th grade when my Great-grandmother passed away. She was my mother's, mother's, mother (I called her Nan). I had a special bond with her. When I was little, she kept me at her house while my mom went to work. I remember one year she insisted that I get to pick the Christmas tree. She had a special box of coloring books that only I was allowed to color in. And one time, she insisted that the person in a picture that she was looking at was NOT my dad, until I came over and told her that it was my dad. She only believed me! :) I loved Nan so much. She was really the first person I was really close with to pass away. It happened the week before dance team try-outs for the high school team. If you missed any of the workshops, you couldn't try out. My mom said I could stay in Covington with family, instead of going to TX for the funeral. I just couldn't NOT be there to say goodbye though. So, I decided I'd forgo try-outs and instead go to the funeral. Well, it turns out, that after talking to the dance team director, I was going to be excused from missing the first half of workshop. It was going to be a lot of work to catch up with what I missed, but I was willing to give it my all! While in TX, my grandmother gave me one of Nan's rings. It was a beautiful aqua marine stone ring. I was so honored that I was given something so beautiful to always remind me of her.

When I returned home, I had friends get me up to speed on the try-out dances I had not been around to learn. On top of that, I had to learn the remaining routines from the workshop. It was a lot of work, but I kind of put in my mind that I would do it for Nan! I wore the ring everyday. Including try-out day. We were paired up in twos. I happened to be paired with a girl that was on the team the year before...and was one of their best dancers (Tiffany Reiff). I was so nervous! We were all waiting in the hallways until it was our turn. Tiffany and I were actually the 2nd group, out of about 45 groups or so. I was glad to get it over with, but the waiting afterwards was tough. All of a sudden, someone ran in from outside and yelled, its SNOWING! I have to remind you, this was March 12 in Louisiana!!! Snow is unheard of year round, much less in MARCH! All my anxieties were released and we were all running around in our leotards in the snow outside! I kind of felt like it was a message from Nan to just let loose, relax, and have fun!

When it was time for them to announce the new dance team, I held on to my ring. I knew I did all I could do. And to my surprise, I had MADE the team! It was such a magical night for me. It meant the world to me. And I had hoped I made Nan proud.

Fast forward to April 2010. I was wearing the ring for several days. However, it had lost one of the corner diamonds a few years earlier. I still wore it. One day I took the boys to the playground (an after school tradition with the other mom's and kids from Jack's class). I had noticed while sitting with the moms that the stone had fallen out of the ring! I was so upset on the inside, but tried to play it off to the other moms that it's okay, it's just a thing. I did tell them it was my great-grandmother's ring. They insisted on helping me look. My only path was from the rock parking lot to the picnic benches. So, the kids got a kick out of being "explorers" with the moms. It didn't turn up. I was so disappointed, but knew there was nothing I could do. I just put the ring away in my jewelry box and thought, maybe one day I'd replace the stone.

About 3 weeks ago, the boys and I were rushing out the door. Jack was in his room getting his shoes on. He came in the kitchen and said casually, "here Mom, I found a jewel for you." We often have the little art jewels laying around from his projects from school. I put my hand out saying, "thank you Jack." Normally, I show interest, then just throw that kind of stuff away. With me being in a rush, it should have been no different. However, I happened to look at the 'jewel' and it was THE STONE from the ring! I was so excited! And of course, he was SO excited I was SO excited! He was so proud of himself for finding it (even though he didn't know it was from my ring when he found it...but he knew I had lost it several weeks ago)! I asked him where he found it and he said on the ground kind of under his bed. How I missed it each time I vacuumed, I have no clue...but regardless, it was found! I told Jason the next time I talked that we found it!

Yesterday was our 11th anniversary. Jason said we needed to go pick up my gift. We ended up at the jewelry store. His clue to me was that 'on our wedding day, you're supposed to wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.' He had gotten the ring restored, cleaned, and replaced the missing corner stone and aqua marine stone. It was something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue! The ring was special as it was, but now it's even more special. And after it's time at the jeweler, it's as beautiful as ever! This picture isn't as crisp as I would have liked it. But I don't have the appropriate lens for such close ups. Still beautiful though!