365 Days of Bliss: If this ring could talk
Hi, it is Fee with you today!
Today I wanted to share something special with you. Recently my Mummy gave me a ring.
I have no idea of its worth, or even exactly the type of stones in it. Probably emeralds and rubies, maybe garnets? Who knows? And I really don’t care because to me the ring is priceless.
It is a family ring.
Before me, my mother Barbara Murray wore it.
Before her, my grandmother Flora Clapperton.
Before that my great grandmother, Margaret Hood Keddie.
And, the original owner of the ring was my great great grandmother Jane Johnstone who received it as an engagement ring in 1875.
Imagine what this ring has seen. I wear this ring every day just as my Great Great Grandmother would have. Washing dishes, laundry, tending to children just as she would have. I love that. Of course…I am using a dishwasher, washing machine, driving cars, using technology. Things that would probably send Great Great Grandmother Jane’s head into a spin. I love that this ring would have seen poopy baby bums for over 130 years. Now that thought is funny! Maybe its better that it cannot talk lol!
I have been researching the family tree for over 10 years now. I have found all sorts of great information, newspaper snippets, photos…but nothing beats receiving a ring that women in my family wore before me. The first time I put the ring on my finger it felt right. So the decision was made right there and then. I was going to wear this ring every day. This baby was not going to be in a box hidden away where it would be safe but never see the light of day. It is pretty cool that every day, every time I look at the ring; I am reminded of the women before me. Without them, I would not be sitting here writing this.
Next in line for the ring is my daughter Emily…who knows what the ring will see during her lifetime. Probably stuff that will make my head spin 🙂
Do you own a piece of heirloom jewellery? Have you scrapped about the piece and what it means to you? Add your story to its history.
Hope you have an amazing day! Now my ring and I are off to make some beds, do some dishes and clean the house 🙂
Fee x
Nicky H said...
on September 23rd, 2011 at 9:09 am
It’s funny that you mention it, because I do have an heirloom ring. Before me my great Aunt Nita wore it and before that her sister, my great grandmother. I think I have scrapped the ring years ago, but I will go back and look, and definitely scrap it if not. I love the idea of using heirloom photos on the page- I don’t think I have done that.
rebecca (mamabee) said...
on September 24th, 2011 at 11:15 am
aww… I love stories like this!! I don’t have any rings from my side… but I do have a ring from my DH’s mother who passed away 27 years ago… before passing she gave this ring to a friend to hold and to be given to Dave’s future wife. The ring changed hands many times and finally my DH’s grandmother (DH’s mom’s mom) got it and gave it to Dave after we were married. The ring has a center Opal (my birthstone) and two stones on the side are blue sapphires, the stone that represents September and the month we were married. It as if in 1984, Cathy knew that Dave would married me some day even through Dave and I wouldn’t meet until 2002. Hmm.. I thought I did a page on this ring – I think I’m going to double check that… thanks for this wonderful post, Fee!
Fee said...
on September 25th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Love your story Rebecca 🙂 Sounds like you were meant to receive this ring…how wonderful is that! It’s the same with my ring…5 stones for the people in my family, 2 emeralds for the 2 girls, and 3 rubies/garnets for the boys in my life (2 of which have red hair). I think sometimes these rings find their way to their special owners 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing.
Nicky H said...
on September 29th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
I made a page about some antique quilts in my family inspired by this post. Thanks so much!
http://www.nickyhurt.com/2011/09/antique-quilts.html