Heirloom

This weekend had a visitation by my mother and grandmother from Houston. It was a good visit. It's not often that I get to see either of them, and it is a good lesson in social science on how the three of us act, and how the 3 generations look.

But this weekend brought a special gift with my grandmother. About 20 years ago, I remember being in my grandmother's (I actually call her Memaw) house looking at a ring she had on. It was a gold ring with diamonds surrounding a blue sapphire, which happened to be scratched. I asked why it happened to be scratched.

Well, in 1943, my grandfather (Papaw) was fighting in WWII. He was in the Army, and had risen to the ranks of Captain. My Memaw recalled receiving this rusted out flashlight case from him during this time, and wondered whatever was he sending it to her for. She realized that she needed to pull out the stuffing, and tucked inside that made it past the censors and mail reviewers, was this ring. If I remember correctly, Papaw traded with a POW. The ring had previously been scratched by someone trying to determine if it's the real thing. (It is.)

That was 62 years ago. And this ring is still in my family. And Memaw knew how much I liked this ring and the story that went with it. She decided to entrust me with the family heirloom. I will cherish it forever. Who knows? Maybe I'll even pass it on to my grandchild.