Today my treasure is a necklace that I wear everyday. I never take it off. It belonged to my Granny. She wore it everyday, as well. I don't seem to have a memory of her without this necklace. If she wore costume jewelry to match her clothing, she simply tucked it inside her blouse.
The little diamond swivels in the teardrop, so I grew up playing with it - pushing it back and forth in the the teardrop as she held me or as I sat in her lap. My Granny was my heart, so I was always as close to her as I could get.
Years before she passed away, she was discussing who would get what ( I hated to hear her talk about leaving me) and she said I'd get her diamond earrings and my brother would get the necklace. I told her that if she didn't mind, I'd rather have the pendant (then I explained it's sentimental value to her). She just laughed and said okay. She said I'd be getting a better "deal" with the earrings. Of course, I wasn't thinking about monetary value.
One day I got a phone call and was told that I needed to "come home". My Granny was sick and she wanted to tell me about it herself. When I got there ( a few days later), she handed me the pendant and told my brother and I that she had cancer. They gave her only days or a week to live. She had lung cancer that had quickly spread to her brain. My beautiful, precious Granny was going to leave me. My heart broke that day!
I didn't want to take the pendant at the time because of what I knew it meant. I wanted her to stay alive and wear it all the days of MY life. She wouldn't hear of it. I put it on that day and still wear it everyday and I will until I pass it along to the next generation.
She was one tough chick and she decide to try to beat this horrid thing that had invaded her body. She started chemo and we prayed for a miracle. It was not meant to be. We were blessed, however to have her for 4 months instead of the "days" that were predicted. I spent alot of time with her during those months. It went way too fast though. She knew how much I loved her and how it was hurting me so much to lose her. We layed in her bed and cried in each others arms. She passed away in that very bed early one December morning. A part of me went with her.
I reach up and feel for this pendant more times than I could count - everyday. I fiddle with it and push the diamond back and forth in the teardrop - many times, everyday. It is as much a part of me as my mouth and my eyes (which, BTW are just like hers).
I almost forgot to show you another aspect of this little treasure - the clasp. 
This is called a butterfly clasp. It is a safety clasp. It is, it seems, also unusual. I get comments on it almost daily. It is a little heavy, so it always seems to be hovering in front or on the side. People always think that it is the pendant, until they see the diamond.
I started wearing all white gold and platinum after I got this from Granny. All of her jewelry was white gold. I am blessed by having several of her things.This little necklace is not worth much money at all, yet it is a treasure indeed!
If you participate in Treasure Tuesday, be sure to leave your link below!!
Faith, I love that! I have my dear grandmother's wedding ring. It's one of my greatest material treasures.
Posted by: Shannon @ Rocks in my Dryer | June 20, 2006 at 12:19 AM
Faith, even more precious than the piece of jewelry are the memories that are tied to it. The legacy your Granny left you will carry on to your children and grandchildren long after the pendant is just a memory to your descendants. THAT is the treasure that the pendant represents.
Thank you for sharing, Faith. :-)
Posted by: Diane J. | June 20, 2006 at 12:30 AM
Man, that brought tears to my eyes! I wouldn't ever take it off either! You sound like such a sweet person, I'm soo glad I found your blog!
Posted by: flipflopmamma | June 20, 2006 at 12:34 AM
Yes Diane that is most assuredly the real treasure. These "things" are nothing without the memories/stories that go with them.
Posted by: Faith | June 20, 2006 at 01:38 AM
How beautiful - the story and the necklace both. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Geekwif | June 20, 2006 at 08:02 AM
Exquisite! Yes, the necklace, but moreso the memories of your reltionship. Thank you for sharing your pendant and your Granny with us.
Mine's up. Did you give up on Mr. Linky?
Posted by: Carol | June 20, 2006 at 08:28 AM
Great treasure! I have alot of my late grandmother's jewelry and "stuff." True treasures indeed!
And the necklace might not be worth much money, but it's priceless!! =)
Posted by: Karla | June 20, 2006 at 08:32 AM
I love the necklace and what a great story behind it!
My treasure is up.
Posted by: Mom Nancy | June 20, 2006 at 09:50 AM
I have no idea where mr. linky is. Oh well!!! He vanished into the blogoshere!!
Posted by: Faith | June 20, 2006 at 09:57 AM
What a precious keepsake, Faith.
Posted by: Rabbit | June 20, 2006 at 10:31 AM
A beautiful story! I've never seen a clasp like that, either - it's quite lovely...
Posted by: Rebecca | June 20, 2006 at 10:43 AM
That is so beautiful, the necklace and the story behind it. How special.
I did put a treasure up today too.
Posted by: Andria | June 20, 2006 at 03:44 PM
You come up with the best treasures, I just can't believe it. Beautiful necklace and story.
Posted by: Lauren | June 20, 2006 at 08:59 PM
Faith, what a precious treasure! It is very easy to see why this would be a treasure to you! Thanks for sharing such beautiful and precious memories... with us!!
Posted by: momrn2 | June 20, 2006 at 10:47 PM
I love this story. Soo touching.
Posted by: cheeriobutt | June 21, 2006 at 10:13 AM
Faith you really have some lovely priceless treasures in your life. The pendant and the meaning is simply beautiful.
Posted by: Sylvie | June 22, 2006 at 09:38 AM