The Ringbearer

Heirlooms continue to be a conundrum to me. If we are part of an interesting lineage, then we know we might be the recipient of such items at one point or another. If we are lucky enough to have a family of our own, then we hope someday to leave the traces of our own existence behind.

The mysterious nature of an heirloom lies in its worth--or lack thereof. Or at least that's what I thought. Recently, one of my best friends found an engraving inside of her deceased father's wedding band. Out of curiosity and while I am certain she would rather sell her soul than this ring, she Googled the company on the inscription. As it turns out, the band is worth quite a bit. She wears this band nearly everyday. In fact, when I think of her, I can barely imagine her without it. To me, it is her humble and steadfast compass.

Over the years, we befriended each other firstly out of a common academic institution, then out of common geography, then common interests, and most importantly out of a similarity in our understanding of pain and loss of family. While I can never understand the pain of losing a parent at such a young age, her band is a tangible reminder of the rather enchanting life her father led. Although she lost him at a very young age, I believe that ring has been there all along---sitting on her finger---guiding her through life's most seminal moments. And here we are, nearly a decade after meeting, and after never having met this man, when we are together I feel him watching over us. Especially her--but also all of us who are with her and who have the pleasure of her company and her effervescence.

In no way do I think this particular piece of jewelry replaces her father, but what I will say is this. Seeing that ring evokes such a profound sense of love that I have always imagined she shared with him. And while they always say that your imagination is better than the real thing, in this case, I find that very hard to believe. And that leads me to my point.

Anyone can have an heirloom appraised. In fact, I think this is considered commonplace, especially if you are insuring the family jewels. But whether it be expensive or not--the worth lies in the eye of the beholder. The memory of where that ring came from, the nature of its journey to her finger, and where it will go from now, is in fact the nucleus of its value. Without each individual and the appraisal first of themself and then of their past, the heirloom means nothing.

But that's the thing about heirlooms. Once you find out their worth, they suddenly become priceless.