A different ring story

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my new ring. A few minutes ago, I read a post on a friend's blog about an antique piece of furniture and how it came into her hands. It reminded me that I have another ring story to tell.

I was named after my great-grandmother Rose, as Rose is my middle name. Rose was my mom's maternal grandmother. She was the 1st of what is now 5 generations of college-educated women in my family. She earned a BFA in music from Ohio Normal University, now Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. I have her music cabinet and some of her old music books, including one that she inscribed with "Rose T. S------, Ada, O. O.N.U. 1905."

Grandma Rose married much later than was common at the time. I cannot find the date that she and Grandpa Archie were married, but I know she did not have my grandmother until she was 36 years old and my great-uncle two years later. Guess I am not the first "old maid" of the family. ;-) When she died, my grandmother inherited her engagement ring.

At some point during my early childhood, my grandmother gave my mom that ring, on the condition that it eventually be given to me, as I was (at the time) my great-grandmother's only namesake. When I was little, my mom would sometimes allow me to try on the ring but I knew it was not a toy and that it would be a long time before I would get it. I always assumed it would come to me upon my mom's own passing, and I am clearly interested in that event being delayed as long as possible.

When I gained all my weight over the years, the ring gradually did not fit me any longer. My mom once had it resized from a size 5 to it's present approximate size 6 but there was not enough metal to resize it any larger beyond that. I could barely fit it on my pinky finger, and for a long time, I thought it would be something that I would eventually simply keep in my jewelry box but never be able to wear.

And then I started losing weight. At some point along the way, I think when I had lost about 100 lbs, my mom told me that once the ring fit me, she would give it to me.

Wow.

It was a weird thought at first, actually. As I said, I had always figured I'd get it after my mom died. I wasn't sure I was ready for the ring, in part because my parents are already in their 60's and so it reminded me that my parents are not immortal. Most of my grandparents and great-grandparents lived into their 80's and even 90's so chances are that I have my parents around for a lot longer. But you never know. My sister's best friend lost her mom the other day in a car accident.

Anyway, another year or so passed. One of my goals for losing weight was to be able to get into this plaid ballgown that belongs to my sister. On the day that I was able to put on that dress, we took photos. Mom had me put on some of her jewelry, including that ring.

It fit as perfectly as the dress did.

I gave the dress back to my sister when we were done. But my mom gave me the ring for keeps that day. It is the oldest piece of jewelry I own, and the one with the most meaning. I tend to save it for special occasions, but occasionally wear it just to work or out with friends. I usually put it on my right hand now, especially if I am going out. It is an engagement ring, after all, and I won't want any cute men thinking that it means I'm taken. ;-)

Here I am with the plaid dress and ring, worn that time on the left hand.