A few years ago I remember looking down at my hands and saying, “Wait. How did my hands get so old?!”
The last five years my hair has gone from nicely dark to do-you-color-your-hair-grey!
This year, is the year I’ve seen my face beginning to fall into old-lady land. I’m not thinking of a chin tuck or anything. I’m just saying, I understand why people do it.
I know when my kids look back on me, they will never remember me with dark hair, with a youthful face or young hands.
Their norm will be what’s shocking to me.
So, the things I want them to remember are not about how I look. Instead, I’d love for them to remember the words spoken over them. The hugs given, the meals made (ok, some of the meals made) and the security they felt in my presence.
Annnd, when they look at my hands, they’ll also see some rings.
My wedding rings, of course. I want my kids to see those rings and know they look exactly the same as they did back in the late 90’s when their father gave them to me.
I hope they see the love, the trust, the work we put into our marriage when they look at those unchanging rings on my hand.
When my daughter was born, my husband gave me a mother’s ring from James Avery. It’s a heart. But it’s really a mother holding a child in her arms. I hope to give it to Lydia when she has her first child.
I also hope my kids see that ring as a token of the heart, the love, the absolute EVERYTHING motherhood has been and is to me.
My parents gave me a ring (also from James Avery) on my 40th birthday. It’s beautiful, with my birthstone, an emerald in the middle. And to me, I see their hopes and plans and pride for me.
I want my kids to see that ring and know I cherish my parents, my brother and the roles I have that are not motherhood. The places I’ve been, the obstacles I’ve overcome and adventures I’ve had.
So, when James Avery asked me to write a post about a piece of jewelry, I wanted to get a ring. Something else to put on my finger. Something else that would tell a story. Because their jewelry isn’t just something to spruce up an outfit. They tell stories.
Or maybe, I see stories. And crave stories. It’s why I want words around me, stories in my ears and on my bedside table.
Oh, so my new ring? Well, it doesn’t have a story yet. I have to admit, I spent way too long trying to pick out a piece to write about and finally settled on this because I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I like the swirls and scrolls it has. It reminds me of the future. The unknown places life takes us.
These past two years I’ve seen those unknown places–a new house, new places in my marriage, new family, new seasons of motherhood. I’ve learned that in all those places, God is a refuge and shield. He leads, calms, instructs, soothes and supports. Twists and turns are transformed into something beautiful that you just can’t take your eyes off of.
Maybe that’s the story. When my kids look at my hands, they’ll see new wrinkles and sagging skin. And they’ll see rings adorning it that have history. And a future.
This post is in partnership with James Avery. All words are my own. Please visit them to see their beautiful story-filled jewelry. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!