A girl's best friend

A while back I posted a spot about the ring I inherited from my grandmother. It was all whiny about unrequited love and I pretty much deleted it after a few hours. I've had time to think about this ring, and what it means to me- and it is so much more than a symbol of love that was not to be. It's about survival and endurance and making choices.

My grandomother, Jean, was a survivor, an adventuress who had such determination of spirit I've never been anything but proud of her accomplishments which by today's standards seem insignificant.

This ring I wear, was given to her as an engagement to a Canadian soldier in the second world war. But he died, somewhere in Italy. I've seen the telegram she received about his death, it is heartbreaking. To see your world shatter on a piece of paper, in a a few written words isn't an enjoyable experience whatever the medium, paper computer, cell phone. And the story could have ended there for Jean.

But it didn't (lucky for my mum and consequently, myself)- Jean married my Grandfather, who was her fiancee's brother. It wasn't as fast as all that, I am quiet sure she did some real soul searching and I do know she refused to marry him several times. Maybe because she didn't love him? Maybe because she was too heartbroken to think of a life outside of the one planned? Maybe she didn't want him to marry her out of familial obligation alone? I never got a straight answer about that one.

So we won't know what the main reason was, maybe it was as simple as this- she chose adventure. Rather than mope about in England for a love lost she continued on the path she had chosen in the only way readily available to her, and began her journey.

I know my Grandma had 'wanderlust' which I definitely inherited. When she would come to visit, we would spend hours looking at the globe and at atlases planning our big trip around the world. Ah the thought of travel fills my heart! I imagine her excitement as she said goodbye to her family in London- not knowing when she would ever see them again or what the circumstance might be.

I know the excitement and the terror of saying goodbye to family, only to talk to them hours later upon arrival and via Skype on a regular basis. It was years before my Grandmother was able to return to England, the only contact being via the post.

So I wear this ring, everyday to honour my Grandma Jean, and to remind myself that adventure lurks in every circumstance- good and bad alike. And it's sparkly.