From this day forward.....

I am still trying to remember how to blog again - I am no longer familiar with the program and even writing - I am out of practice! I struggle to believe it has been three years since my mother died. I was just reading my brother David's blog and he shared that Nov. 1st has changed meaning for him. Less about other things - it has become (at least for now) the anniversary of her death. I thought about her so much today. Let me explain: On the evening of October 31st, I was trimming bushes in preparation for the annual trick-or-treaters. I broke one stem of my hydrangia, twisting it down and away from me when I felt a tug on my left ring finger and either heard or felt a "pop." I knew exactly what had happened and a glance at my engagement ring setting confirmed my fears - the diamond was gone. You see, for months I had known and commented that I needed to have the ring checked, the prongs were worn and one of the six appeared to not be holding the diamond at all. I called out for my son David and he immediately came to my rescue. A few minutes of searching and David's young eyes found the diamond amidst the mulch and he rescued it for me. RELIEF. After two days of trying, my finger was swollen and sore and the rings were so tight it had become painful. J.R. called a jeweler that had been recommended and off we went. I cried at the prospect of damaging my rings. They quickly cut off my engagement ring and my wedding band. As they worked I looked at my mother's rings which I now wear on my right hand. I knew that she had to have her rings cut off at some point - though I do not remember why. I wondered if she had cried, too. As J.R. and I looked around for ideas on a new setting - the entire "basket" needs to be replaced -I began to weep. I told J.R., "I am not ready to look at other options." We quickly left the jewelry store. As the reality of my situation sank in, I knew we needed to shop around before we selected someone to repair my rings. My finger is probably permanently altered from wearing the rings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 23+ years...that and my unfortunate weight gain. My left hand feels naked without them. I wear mom's original wedding band on the pinky of my left hand (I remember mom happily pointing that out to dad when she gave it to me years ago). I am far too sentimental about far too many things! Just ask my father where I get that from! My husband loves me and our commitment to each other is intact, even if my rings are not. May it be true today and every day - I love my husband and am committed to him "From this day forward, as long as we both shall live."