The Locket

I have a very special locket.

My Grandma gave it to me for my wedding. The chain was lost long ago, so I pinned it underneath the layers of my dress. It had to be part of that day, chain or no chain.

Estella Dru loves going through my jewelry. (It's not an extensive collection, let me assure you.) But she always fixates on that locket. I even had to hide it from her because she would sneak it off in her room to look at it. She loves that locket.

This weekend while at Grandpa's, I had the opportunity to not only tell her but show her why the locket is so special for us.

This is a picture of Grandma's parents that hangs on the wall at Grandpa's. Her mother's name was Lillie Ann. I believe Grandma told me she was 13 when she got married and raised 12 or 13 children. (How sad I can't remember the correct number.) She died long before I was born, but Grandma told me stories about "Mama" all my life, so I feel like we're old friends. Notice the locket hanging around her neck.

And this is Grandma not long after she and Grandpa got married. She is wearing the same locket.

This is my mom (Grandma 'Nita to my children) in her wedding dress at age 18. So pretty. She is also wearing the locket.

Even though I didn't wear it around my neck, there was no doubt the locket had to be part of my wedding. Just holding it in my hands makes me feel stronger. The women in my family are tough. Much tougher than me. The obstacles my Great-Grandmother Lillie overcame... the loss of three baby boys, the loss of an adult daughter, living through the hardest of times when she had no idea what she would feed her family from day to day... I could only hope to be as courageous and strong.

The locket is special.

Estella Dru was absolutely amazed to see the locket in pictures. She made me promise over and over that it was the same one. I told her one day it could be part of one of her special days if she wanted. She was beside her self excited. Here it is in her little hand.

I know I've been ending several of my posts with questions, but I am so interested to know.... Do you have a special treasure in your family that has been passed from generation to generation?