Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Network of Memories



Submitted to Tuesdays Photos for the theme: NETWORK

First of all, I don't mean to freak you out by a photo of my (aged) hand, but see the itty-bitty band next to the big one? That's my mom's wedding ring.

When Mom died in 1997, we 4 "step-sisters" decided to share her ring amongst us by wearing it for periods of time and then passing it on. We've got it down to a science by now: Susan wore it for a year and gave it to me on Farm Day for my turn. Next year I'll pass it on to Nancy; then Nancy will pass it on to Ruth. The cycle will then repeat itself.

Interestingly, that night at The Farm when Susan gave it to me (and I couldn't sleep!), it dawned on me (for the first time!) that each of us 4 sisters has one daughter each. There will be a time, if they so wish, to pass the baton on to them, to keep their grandma-memory alive.

So with this ring, Mom/G'ma, we keep you wedded to our spirits. There is very definitely a network of memories wound up in that one small symbol, passed on from generation to generation!

15 comments:

  1. Rather than put this in the post, do you realize how hard it is to take a pic of your right hand holding a right-handed camera with your left hand?! I had never thought of this before--that the shutter is on the right side of the camera. So how do you left-handers feel about that?

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  2. I had forgotten that you all continued to wear G'Ma's ring! What a wonderful way to keep her spirit with you.

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  3. Reading your post while looking at the photo of your (beautiful) hand I reminisced about weddings I heard Dad perform, in which he talked about the significance of the ring as a circle that never ends. I'll bet in our parents' marriage ceremony they never anticipated that this wedding circle would not only wed them for 50+ years, but also wed their daughters and granddaughters. I love that.

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  4. Amy: I had almost forgotten as well since it's been 3 years. But it all came back!

    Ruth: Oh my. You have just taken this to the next glorious, soulful level for me! Thank you.

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  5. That is so eerie you would write about this. Just the other day Laura and I were talking about G'ma's ring and I realized the same thing about the 4 daughters each having one daughter!

    I felt exactly the same way, that we should continue the tradition our mothers began!

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  6. Mrs. M/Shari: Wow, Shari. I like your profile pic! That IS eerie about you thinking of the same thing re G'ma's ring. You'd be the first of the 4 grandgirls to receive it :) Then Amy, Jennifer and Lesley. I then thought of the grandgirls from my brothers, like Rachel, who would probably also want to wear G'ma's ring. That would add a whole new mix, wouldn't it! Almost too complicated. Maybe it makes sense to stick with just you 4....

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  7. Very nice resolution to what could have become a dilemma. Everyone's happy and a lovely tradition as well.

    Yes, it is hard to photograph one's working hand isn't it? Nice capture and your hand is lovely!

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  8. wow - that is so powerful and wonderful. I don't think I'd be able to sleep either!

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  9. Jozee: A nice resolution indeed!

    ET: It really is a great thing for all of us.

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  10. Nice and soulful photo. But now, we have another mystery to solve. Do they make the Canon PowerShot S serie for left-handed people? MMM.... We will have to investigate... :)

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  11. A worthy and beautiful tradition. It's neat that it has the potential to be passed on to the next generation.

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  12. What a great tradition! I hope it's one that continues for generations.

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  13. MP: I had never thought of that for ANY brand of cameras! Maybe left-handers have no problems with the shutter on the right side because it doesn't take much effort. If you find out something, let me know :)

    Tim: I totally agree!

    Dixie: Awww. Wouldn't THAT be something!

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  14. Awesome photo, post and momento for the challenge, Ginnie.

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