The most loveliest bracelet in the world

bracelet
I wrote this in 2006, in response to a question from a friend: what is the one object you would you take with you when the house is on fire? I thought I would share this in commemoration of my mom, who died 6 years ago tonight.

In about 1972, my parents and their friends Archie and Carla (Archie was dad’s best friend since childhood) went to Mexico. Carla and mom were a force of nature when they were together: beautiful, flamboyant, zany, hilarious. And shoppers extraordinaire. This bracelet is from that trip to Mexico: it is sterling silver filigree and those are emeralds and amethysts. Outrageous! Larger than life! Just like mom.

In her 70s, mom decided she didn’t “like her arms” any longer, and decided to give away all her bracelets. She had dozens in all sorts of styles and let her daughters and daughters-in-law take their pick. It was like magic.. each woman in the family was drawn to ‘their” bracelets — no one fought over them, everyone had their own tastes, and mom had something to match them. Annie got her colorful, delicate little fancies, Lisa her chunky, elegant monochromes.. and me, I got this. It almost leapt at me when I saw it.

I love it so much my heart breaks a little looking at it. It’s SO mom, it’s a souvenir of a lovely time in my parents’ lives, and my mother gave it to me with love. And not to mention: it’s utterly fabulous.

This is the special thing that would be worn on my arm while being carried out of the burning building. Everything else can go.

4 Comments

  1. regina on January 19, 2009 at 8:35 am

    Big hugs to you and your amazing bracelet, B. xoxo



  2. Tristy on January 19, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    What a great story to share on such an important day! Thank you!



  3. cloudy on January 20, 2009 at 9:55 am

    That bracelet is AMAZING! And the moment your mom gave her jewelry out to her loved ones is so poignant. 6 years. Damn. sigh. I love you, boo boo kitty.



  4. hambox on January 20, 2009 at 11:13 am

    Thank you my sweet friends!