I remember when my mother got the ring. I must have been about 12 or 13 years old. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry I thought I'd ever seen.
I loved the way the six stones represented me and my five siblings. I loved the way it was perfectly symmetrical, even though I usually prefer things at more random angles.
She always wears it on her right hand. Being Our Mother has always been how she defines herself.
Ofie, the oldest, is represented by the purple amethyst for her February birthday. That stone seemed fitting and regal for her as the First Born.
Helen's is the pearl. Hers is a June birthday. Different from the other gemstones. Round, polished and perfect – much like my sister.
Rudy was born in April and so the diamond is his stone. Befitting the only son in a family of Cuban women – the "diamond in the rough."
Miriam's stone is the peridot for August. The peridot is distinctive, unusual, beautiful. Again, a wonderful representation.
The two emeralds are for Alina and me. Both of us born in May. I love the way they were mounted on either end of the ring, bringing all the other stones into balance.
I have always loved this ring. I have always taken comfort in how it looks on her hand. I never thought to get one of my own, thinking that a setting of four stones somehow wouldn't work.
One day, she said, she would give it to me.
Last Friday, I checked my mom into the hospital. Today is Tuesday and she is there still. She has an infection in her body causing her a lot of grief. At 96, this could be life-threatening.
That night, while we were in the ER, she said, "Marta, take the ring."
"Why?" I asked, "Is it bothering you?"
"No. But, it's yours. Take it."
There was no emotion in her voice. It was just a statement.
I hesitated, but she insisted and I took it and put it on. She gave Amy Kikita her other ring, with the big, fat, cubic zirconia that she had always admired and that her grandmother had promised to her…..one day.
So, here I am trying to get used to the weight of The Mother Ring. I still love how beautiful and regal and different it looks.
But I think it may take me a very long time to get used to seeing it on my own hand.
Dear Marta,Of all the beautiful posts that you have made to your blog, and there have been many, this is the loveliest. It moved me so. My mother left all her jewelry in Cuba, and after fifteen years in the United States ,sold what little jewelry she had acquired to help my father make a down payment on their first house in this country. She never had much good jewelry after that, but I did manage to buy her a beautiful mother’s ring for Mother’s Day one year. She wore it very proudly, because like your mom, my mother’s four children were all that she lived for. She left it to me after she died and I wear it almost every day.
Martica,Beautiful post! My prayers and positive thoughts are with y’all and wishing Dona Luz a prompt recovery.
God Bless 🙂 Melek
p.s. the ring looks great on your hand! 🙂
“A daughter is a mother’s gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an extension of her self. And mothers are their daughters’ role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships.” ~ V. Secunda
Dear Marta,Prayers going up for your dear mother and the ring does look beautiful on your finger.
Thinking of you and all the family,
Shawn Lopez
The photo of your mom’s hands is so touching and lovely.
Beautiful. Maybe the best of the best you’ve written. Thank you for sharing your family and Luza with us.Hang tough.
We love you.
Beautiful post. My prayers are with you and your mom at this time.Beso, Ody
I can’t make the tears stop flowing. This post has touched my heart so deeply. Thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me … I have to give my Mami a call just to say “I love you.”
I agree, one of the best posts you’ve written, if not the best.Wishing your mom a speedy recovery.
Besitos!!
wonderful post, my friend – still praying for Luz…
I loved reading this entry about your Mom’s ring. It brought tears to my eyes. I wish your Mom well and home soon. Stay strong! Besos Carmela
i have been holding back reading this post since you know i too have my grandmother in the hospital…but since i know Luza is doing better and so is mine…i read it this morning…tears nonetheless…Best post! Marta: you are such an emotional yet descriptive writer that instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, you put it on paper…i love it!
hang in there and i hope Luza is doing well …all my love
michi
Absolutely beautiful & touching post. Prayers and warm thoughts going out to you and your mami. Hugs
Marta, this was a beautiful post. I love how you describe each stone and your siblings. Do you feel the emerald represents you well? It would take me a long time to get used to wearing any of my mother’s rings, too.Wishing your mother well. {abrazos}
Oh my dear Marta, I’ll always remember her fierce pride and Cuban patriotism during last springs march for Las Damas de Blanco. I was so very honored to finally meet her, this most beloved, lovely and kind woman. I’m praying my heart out for all of you. Besos amiga, Ziva
Maria Eugenia,Thank you for sharing that. I am not yet accustomed to the ring. But, obviously, it has become a treasure already.
Thanks, Melek.We can feel the prayers. I love that.
gold digger,I like it, too. =)
*wipes away tear*Thank you, my friend.
I covet your prayers. God bless you, amiga.
Ileana,I am so glad you reacted that way. Blessings to you and your mami.
Thank you, my friend. It means so much.
My dearest keb,Thank you.
Thank you, Carmela.Besos right back….
michi,I know that you understand what we’re going through. Thank you for your very kind words and prayers.
Besos,
M
Thank you, Lissete.We’ll take all the prayers you can send.