History on My Wrist

Between Hancock and Breezewood on Rt. 70.

 

My charm bracelet. It was found when we sold my mother's house in 2012. I hadn't seen it for many a year. Since then I've been keeping it in the writing room, laid out for me to see, but a new opportunity has arose!

Lady friends. Did you have a charm bracelet when you were growing up? They've been around a long, long time. I read two articles on the web and one placed it in the Neolithic era, the Roman Empire, Knights and Middle Ages, early 20th century through the Greatest Generation. (Don't ask me what the Neolithic era is.) By the 1950s, the charm bracelet was a must-have accessory for girls and women.
  In Jacki Lyden's book Charmed Bracelets she says: " . . . the most irresistible and alluring thing about a charm bracelet is it's ability to tell a story unique to its owner . . . Truly, to wear one is to wear your history upon your sleeve." Jacki also said: "Charm bracelets express who a woman is in a subtle way, simultaneously giving a whimsical little nod to her style while also serving as a record of remembrance of her life."

I don't remember when mine was started, somewhere in junior or senior high school. It was complete before I reached the age of 20. And then for me, it got lost through the ages until I found it again in 2012.

Forty years have now passed and some of the charms don't apply to my life anymore. Like those two fish on the top left. And the canoe in the middle. Sandy's father was a fisherman and those were purchased because of him. Fish are too smelly for me! And the "pin money" down the right side, with a real dollar bill. I think it's worth a lot less now than it was then.


The other charms are accurate for my life history: sewing, which took me into my 20s; playing the piano, many enjoyable visits to West Virginia, working as a typist, graduating from High School, working at the telephone company, and driving not one, but 4 Volkswagon bugs. Each depict a time period in my life that brought me much joy.


And now a new opportunity! Just last week Jerry asked me what I wanted for our 30th anniversary in December. (That 14 date again.) I've decided my charm bracelet is going to get an update from my 20s forward!


I want to add a charm for friends. I found out how
good it is to have friends and count them among my greatest blessings.






My charm bracelet wouldn't be complete without a charm about my faith. The Bible has sustained me throughout my life, after I was saved in 1978, and my faith continues to be a guiding light for me.







I want to add a charm for encouraging others through note
writing. This is the gift God gave to me, and I've been
exceedingly blessed because of it.








I want to add a charm for the HOPE I have through my
Savior, Jesus Christ. That HOPE is my driving force
that enables me to live each day knowing I serve a God
that has complete control of my life.







I want to add a charm for my marriage that has last
30 years, December 14, 1985 to December 14, 2015.








I think I'm going to hang the bracelet in a shadow box where I can see it often and remember special times in my life.

We all have enough bad memories. It's nice to be reminded of good times in your own life. As God 's Word says:

" . . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." I think my charm bracelet provides opportunities to dwell on good things in my life.