Butterfly's - a new beginning

Fresh Start:

Some people buy jewelry just because they like it. I tend to buy things that have some significance, something that is a memento to a specific time or event in my life. For example, one day, shortly after our move to Waterloo, we were walking the mall and as we past a jewelry store we noticed it was advertising the “necklace of the month” featuring that months stone. It wasn’t a spectacular piece, but Rich just said “would you like that?” Since he had never done this before, I looked at him and said “yes.” This started a monthly trip to the jewelry store. This was our 30^th year of marriage so this was a good memento of that year. I plan to give one of these to the grand-girls when they turn 10 years old.

Another jewelry collection that has accumulated over the years is gems from countries we have visited. It started with our trip to Greece in 2005 when Rich bought a necklace with the blue stone (don’t know the name off hand) that apparently is mined in Greece for each of the girls. Then he surprised me and bought some earrings and a necklace with the Greek Key. From then on, I have tried to get something from each country we visit: Argentina:Rose……?, Bolivia:Bolivianita, Fresh Pearls from Bangladesh, Camanite and a Flip Flop from Grand Cayman, Africa shaped pendent from South Africa. I also have a necklace from Arizona in memory of taking a husband with a broken foot on vacation, a mother of pearl necklace from Becky McDonald’s organization to help women in need from one of my sister’s weekends and come carved earrings from The Gambia.

In 2008, we spent a week in Grand Cayman when we needed to make a decision to accept a call to another church or stay at Walnut Ridge. We were torn, but in the end believed that the Lord needed us in Waterloo for a few more years and we made a commitment to go back and see what God would do. At that time we both bought black coral bracelets to remind us of that commitment. We went back, knowing they would not be easy years, and they weren’t, but now these bracelets are a reminder that we did what we could and now it is time to move on.

Now, at the outset of this new adventure, I have taken the butterfly as a symbol to a new life, i.e. fresh start. With this in mind, as we searched for a stone from Italy, we found a Swarkski butterfly necklace and decided that this would be my memento. However, on our trip south to Pompeii, we found that the Cameo is made there and hence, a Cameo ring.

You might think this is an extravagant hobby, but since the first 20 years of our marriage there were few gifts, flowers, etc. I look at this short window of our life as a time to relax a bit and have fun.

As Christians, at least for myself, we have a tendency to take life too seriously. We’re often told to “make every moment count,” and we should. I know we are to work hard, help those in need, sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, etc., but Ecclesiastes also says to “eat, drink and enjoy life, for this is the gift of God.” I trust as we continue our walk with the Lord, we “seize the day,” “Carpe Diem”: Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Col. 4:5.