Saturday, May 9, 2026

Charmed!

 




Happy pre-Mother's Day from a gray and soggy day in Coosada!
We're supposed to meet up with Troy and Lois a little later, but for now I want to yak about jewelry.

"What?!", you might exclaim.  "I thought you didn't care much for that sort of thing."


True.  Aside from a few precious pieces, I've never been much for bangles and baubles.
Then a while back, I happened on a short story that tugged my heart strings.


The author spoke about discovering a charm bracelet at a yard sale.  Like mine, "... it was heavy, real silver, every charm different and clearly collected over decades."

Like mine, a charm for every important moment - vacations, graduations, birthdays.  My parents took pains to have a delicate safety chain affixed ... to have the local jeweler solder each one.

They were so proud.  



Once grown-and-gone, I can scarcely remember the number of times I wore that bracelet.  Largely ignored for decades, a few years ago I sold it for little more than the price of coveted concert tickets.


Not only that!  I shake my head, remembering a time when I beat feet across Phoenix searching for a pretty charm bracelet for my first granddaughter's 16th birthday.   What was I thinking?!

Most of the time, we were met with blank stares.  (Yes, this is before Pandora become a phenomenon.)
At the time, maybe I was subconsciously paying homage to my late parents.    

At any rate, I don't think S. ever cared for it or said "thank you." Not unlike the teenager that was once me.  



No, I don't regret selling my bracelet.  

Excerpting again:  "I think about how we spend decades collecting moments, turning them into tiny silver talismans (fill in the blank) and then we die and someone sells it all for $5 at a yard sale."

I hope mine will matter to someone.




I hope you all enjoy a most blessed day!


Hugs, Myra





  

 

15 comments:

  1. You made such a great point in your post. What I think is precious and feel that it should go to my kids is often completely different from their tastes, needs or wants. I guess that's the way with "Treasures" They are mostly the feeling imbedded in our own minds. I have things that I keep just because and know the "kids" will probably sell them at a yard sale too.
    Have a blessed day yourself.
    Sue

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    1. Thank you for expressing this so perfectly! One's feelings are neither good nor bad ... just different.

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  2. I agree with Sue - my kids want NOTHING I have - absolutely nothing. I wanted my mom's things and grandma's and I enjoyed the history of the items and how they were made. Not so today.

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    1. My son recently shared (how) he told his daughters -- when he dies they're to choose only one "thing" of his that means something to them.

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  3. Jewelry just isn't my thing but I do have pieces from the past. I think I might take a few to Amber. She likes to have memories from family members.

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  4. Since I retired and no longer have to "dress for sucess" I rarely wear much jewelry. I have more necklaces than any girl needs. I have a charm necklace, by the way. It also includes the county tags for each of my cats. Who will care about it? Those days are gone, I'm afraid. But God is still good!!

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    1. I've never heard of a charm (memorial) necklace like yours before. That's perfect!
      ... and yes, He is good!

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  5. Every moment of our lives, every kindness we do to others, is a charm in the ever-lasting bracelet of our lives. That's the treasure we should leave our loved ones.

    Wishing you a most wonderful mothers' day full of happiness and whatever you desire.

    God bless you and your family.

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    1. I love the idea of a charm in our lives ever-lasting bracelet. Wow.

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  6. The only jewelry I wear are earrings. I too, had a charm bracelet. I still have it but haven't looked at it in decades. My sons don't want anything that I know of. I do need to ask them again. I think it must be because they're sons. Daughters tend to be more interested in family heirlooms etc.
    Happy Mothers, Day 🌷

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    1. Good point about sons v. daughters. I think you're right, but yes. I remember my father saying he'd rather give me something with warm hands v. cold.

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  7. Oh, what a 'charming' story! Well...maybe it certainly has a charm of its own. I also have a charm bracelet somewhere in an old jewelry box with other old, tarnished, needs to be cleaned pieces of costume jewelry that needs to be gotten rid of...but I don't have the heart to do it. I know my boys aren't interested in any of it, and it will be sold to strangers someday, but that's okay. I won't be here to care. My real treasures are in heaven, where they can't be tarnished or rusted or broken...that's what really matters. Once in a blue moon I might get nostalgic enough to look at my charm bracelet again and try to remember what each thing stood for. LOL. Great post. (((HUGS)))

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  8. Somewhere I have Mark's aunt's charm bracelet and it is gold, rather than silver. It is the only gold one I have ever seen. I have some stackable bracelets and I bought a little bracelet for myself on Santorini. Some days I'm doing good to put on earrings. I almost always wear my engagement/wedding rings and my apple watch.

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  9. The world is changing too fast for me. No one cares about the golden oldies. I still have both of my charm bracelets. Too many memories to lose. My silver one is loaded with trinkets from dear loved ones and friendships, most gone today. My gold one has a few 14k charms, I love them both. all this AI and robot nonsense. I heard a beautiful sermon from a pastor. He reminded me and others that AI does not have a soul, therefore it is not from God. But it is everywhere and instead of learning, studying hard today you can cheat your way to a good grade! Yet at what expense? Not a fan but Nick was telling us more training at his job. More robots to replace us. I am hopeful God will not allow it. My sweet Avery bought me a pretty gold band with some sparkle for Mother's Day. He is also beaming with Hannah and Jake's new son, his namesake. Bon May 1! One week late, I thought he'd come on our anniversary May 3. I pulled out lots of my Premier Design jewelry, mostly necklaces and rings. At the bank one day the teller said to me, girl that is solid sterling silver. I researched it and W O W ! I wear it on my right ring finger. Sometime I will tell you how Avery glued my fingers together when the faux diamond fell out. Thank goodness he glued two fingers together so I was thinking I'd have a permanent peace symbol on my hand! Ha Ha Ha Love to you sweet lady.

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