My Mother’s Ring

My father bought my mother this ring around 1960, from Eddie’s Antique Jewelry, Liberty, NY.  My father rarely bought gifts for anyone, believing I think that they were a waste of money on frivolous things. He was a child of the Depression so that was understandable.  When he presented the ring to my mother, he announced  that the ring cost $40., proclaiming his generosity. 

My mother always  wore the ring until she died at age 52. I asked to have the ring and my father agreed.  For many years  never wore it, feeling that its style was too ostentatious. When I turned 52, I began wearing the ring and have not taken it off since.  My style  has evolved from hippy to eclectic nostalgic. The ring is now  missing stones and has acrylic paint embedded in the cracks. I tried to get the stones replaced but the prongs are  worn and the stones soon fall out. I accept the ring as is, like me, warts and all. That attitude would have suited my mother. 

My niece just had a baby , Emilia Jane, and the baby is intrigued by the ring. I love that the baby is connected to my mother ( Emilia’s  great grandmother)  through the ring. I am not sure yet to whom in my  I will leave the ring. 

From: Laura Shapiro, New York