Monday, February 21, 2011

Diamonds Are Forever Unless You Hock Them!!!

I chose the word "glass" for my word of the year. I read on someone's blog to choose a word for the year--sorry, I forgot whose. I thought about what word I would choose.

Two days later, I was outside trying to crack up some ice on the driveway when I thought about how ice is like glass. "Glass" is the word! I liked it! I started coming up with a list of words/ phrases that referred to glass such as ice, cut glass, through the looking glass, glass houses, still water, diamonds, glass frame, wine glass, glass slipper, looking through a glass darkly, etc. My writing group, the BON(S), added to my list, too.

Only one word/phrase has invited me to dance so far--diamond. It actually stirs a memory I have of one of my mothers. One of my mothers?? I've always said I had 3 moms--my birth mom, Lillian, and my two aunties, Mary and Helen. Maybe this is why I love the name Mary Helen!!! They all took care of me and influenced me some how at different times of my life.

Auntie Mary was the gem of all gems in my life--kind, caring, steadfast, patient, down-to-earth, and a God-loving human being. She always told the truth and understood life for what it was--a constant challenge to one's being.

My Auntie Mary and I always sat at her kitchen table and talked about whatever. I don't remember why the subject of diamonds came up that day, but I remember her saying, "If someone ever asks you if you want a diamond, say, 'Yes' because you can always hock it!" She had a quiet sense of humor, also. It was an odd comment, but as a child, I did not ask questions usually, because in my family, asking questions was not the thing to do. Later, I could guess why my aunt would say something like that.

My husband, always being the very practicial person he was and is, asked me to marry him and then said, "Do you want a diamond?" I was and am a pretty practical person, too, and was just in my first year of teaching after college. I knew neither of us had any money to spare at the time, but I remembered what my aunt had said, "Say, 'Yes' to the diamond!" I didn't know if I would ever have to hock it, and I said, "Yes" to the diamond! I respected and took to heart all the things my aunt said and did.

Forty years later, I've never had to hock it--thank goodness, and my aunt would be proud!!!

My husband and I still love each other, and I loved my Auntie Mary!!!! Funny what words can do for you and to you!

13 comments:

  1. Tam, I love this! Your true voice is showing and I could just hear you spinning this story. And the title! Wow! So cool.
    I'm glad we had a delay today for many reasons, but one of them is because I had time to sit with my coffee (yep, in my sofa spot) and read your slice. Can't wait to read more!

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  2. That is funny! My ex-brother-in-law tried to buy my sister a diamond that someone else had hocked, and he had to convince him it was bad luck! Turns out the new one is bad luck too. LOL

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  3. Okay, I am totally trying this today! Not sure what my word will be. I liked reading your stream of thought as you went from a word to a slice. Awesome! Love it! Doing it!

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  4. Did you tell your husband why you were saying yes to the diamond? I am assuming that at some point along the way you have, but it would be fun to hear how that conversation went.

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  5. I'm with you Tam... I love your process to diamond. That's a wonderful way to write a slice!
    Bonnie

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  6. Good advice from Auntie Mary. Enjoyed reading your memory.

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  7. My husband heard this story many years after, but knowing Auntie Mary, he just smiled. The Otterlanding blog encouraged me to write about memories, and who doesn't have a lot of those for you bloggers out there wondering what to write!

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  8. I can just imagine your wonderful aunties. The "word" project is fun - and takes on a life of its own. Here's the web site so you can see if you want to formally join the project (its fun to think about regardless of whether you make a book)

    http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/onelittleword.php

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  9. Love, Love, Love this post! The warmth you have for your aunts is special. I have a favorite Aunt Mary (my mother's older sister) who warmed my summer days. She set a loving, servant example for me. I was surprised reading about the names. My mother's name is Helen. What a connection. Thanks for making my morning beautiful! (I was disappointed to be off school again, but it gives me time to read and post. Loving the time. Have a great day!!) MHG:)

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  10. Be sure to get a nap in, Mary Helen!!!! Enjoy. Thanks for reading my blog.

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  11. I liked your first part- word of the year. You are forgetting one kind of glass! I never heard of it until you brought some back from San Diego but my favorite glass is sea glass! I think it deserves it's own slice some time! The stories it could tell!

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  12. Sea glass and all the possible stories behind it! Thanks, Uncle E!

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  13. Tam - I love reading your blogs - you are my "diamond in the rough" friend! Keep up the good work!!

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