Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I come from a line of overly-generous women; both my grandmother and my mom go out of their way to ensure the happiness of others, never crediting themselves with the accolades that they deserve. Although not from the same family, they're kindred spirits in their efforts make life more meaningful for everyone else. At the top of their lists are the numerous traditions that have developed through the determination to weave a common thread through our family. This Christmas, we all received a necklace that was conceived by my grandmother and created by a jeweler in our family...



my hope is that this tangible expression will see lots of generations; keeping my grandmother's kindness alive for many, many years.

Ties run deep in our family, so it would only seem fitting that on my grandmother's recent birthday we added her to another club that has taken shape in the form of a Pandora bracelet. A few Christmases ago my mom bought my sister, niece and me the charmed jewelry piece, and we have spent many holidays adding to it's collection. What I like most about our bracelets is that they're all different. While they share the same theme, and most of us have similar charms to mark specific occasions, they tell different stories. Stories about us. Who we are, and what memorable events have taken place in our individual lives. The club was recently extended to both my mom & my aunt, and now to my VERY club-worthy grandmother. When we get a chance, I'll show you all of our bracelets together-- but my grandmother's birthday was formed around building her bracelet. She means the world to all of us for different reasons-- so we used our birthday charm to tell the story of our memories together. I'll let the pictures tell the story of the rest of our night together! It's a short but sweetie, so don't blink or you'll miss it...but we're so grateful to have a grandmother who loves without abandon, and thinks so abundantly of others before she ever considers herself-- she deserves a day all to herself!

*didja know these guys have music? You're gonna want to make sure your speakers are on...

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** It's hard to believe that it has already been three months since we saw mom's Oncologist, but today she went for a bone scan and we'll get the results of that in February. We'll update with what we hear. **

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

How special and eloquently said. Carolyn deserves only the best and she is so fortunate to be loved by such an awesome family. HAPPY BIRTHDATY CAROLYN.

Leigh Ross said...

Gave me chills...What a beautiful celebration for one that loves all of you dearly. Happy Birthday Carolyn! Want to see your bracelet...love me some Pandora!!!