Wedding Day Pearls

Upon entry to this site, there is a picture of Mom as a bride being kissed on each cheek by her parents, and above is a another bridal picture. When viewing these, I am always immediately drawn to the beautiful pearls gracing her neck.

Saturday, June 30, 2007 marks my parents 45th wedding anniversary. The strand of pearls were a gift from Dad to Mom on their wedding day in 1962.

Ladies will enjoy and understand this more than men: some women are "pearl people". I am one of those.

I loved wearing my mom's pearls for special ocassions, and more importantly, loved hearing about them. Despite the beauty of a real, single-knot-between-each-pearl necklace, Mom would sometimes say "Well, they're probably not of the best quality. We were very poor back then". I always laughed. To me, they were the most beautiful piece of jewelry she owned. I borrowed them as often as allowed.

At Christmas 2004, my sister and I were each given a jewelry box; upon opening mine, I knew exactly what was inside - the wedding day pearls. Lana's contained a beautiful emerald bracelet Mom wore at holiday times, and represents Lana's birthstone.

I asked Mom why she gave the necklace to me, and her response was pure Glenna, "When you get older, your neck gets bigger, and I haven't been able to wear those for years. Someday, you will need to pass them on as well". I thank Mother Nature or whomever makes women's necks bigger so I get to enjoy these. I wear them often to work - nothing says class like pearls and a good suit! I also look forward to passing them on when my neck circumference exceeds wedding day pearl capacity.

-Marty