Friday, February 19, 2010

An engagement...

....ring.
This was my Grandmother's until my last birthday.
She gifted it to me to enjoy now, rather than - later.
She is 88 now, and this ring had been hers since the second world war.Whilst my "Pa" was away, fighting in WW2, they became engaged and he had some of his pay deducted each week and sent home to my Grandmother to buy an engagement ring.
Not long after she bought it, one of his best mates' had his head blown off.
He couldn't stand my Grandmother waiting for someone who may never come home, so he broke off the engagement.
He did come home. They did get married.
I was a blubbering mess when I opened her present.
It is one of the most special gifts I have received.
Do you have a special story about a special gift?
Kathryn. XX

24 comments:

Katrina said...

What a beautiful and amazing story :) The ring is truly a gem!

Bunny said...

This is truly a treasure for you with some wonderful memories.

thornberry said...

Gorgeous story Kathryn and lovely ring, loaded with beautiful memories.

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

What a treasure!
Funnily I have a story that goes with a set of rings my Gran 85 gave me recently....They were made and paid for by my grandfather at a time they had not a penny to rub together....Very special and nice to have them now whilst she is here to see me with them.

Anonymous said...

Oh what a beautiful story. On its own, the ring is very pretty, but the story behind it makes it ten-fold more glorious!

rachelmp said...

My grandma is is 89, on her vistit to Australia 3 years ago, gave my sisters and I her necklace, a long one that could be wrapped around the neck a couple of times. She doesn't know how old it is, only that it was her grandmas. The necklace was split into 3 and each piece has new clasps put on for safe wearing. One upset counsin in the UK ... but treasures for us in AUS.

Your ring has such a beautiful story.

{oc cottage} said...

Oh, now I'm a blubbering mess! What an awesome treasure!

m ^..^

Antique Rose Designs said...

What a nice gift to you from your grandmother I don't blame you for crying I would have too. Your lamp turned out gorgeous you did a good job. I love this fabric I have heaps of it too. Congrats on your feature in the mag you must be very excited. Take care Carol

trash said...

Your ring is a beautiful shape.

For my birthday this year my mother sent me the pearls my father bought her in 1969. It was accompanied by a beautiful letter that made me cry.

Unknown said...

That is such a special ring , how lovely that your Granma was able to give it you but with the story , priceless !

Lakeland art said...

What a beautiful ring and I bet you treasure it. My Gran gave me a tiny china Budder that sits watching over me, I would be heart broken if anything happened to it.
x
p.s Can't put twilight down!Thanks for sharing it with us

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

What a beautiful story Kathryn. Even more special that your grandma has been thoughtful enough to share this ring with you now so she can share your enjoyment.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Alison Gibbs said...

What a special ring. How wonderful that your Grandmother gave it to you now so she can see how much you love it
Alison

Jo said...

That is a beautiful ring and very special.

I was the first grandchild on my father's side to marry so I was lucky enough to have my grandmothers wedding band.

On my wedding day, i wore my grandfathers rose gold cuff links. I had a jacket over my dress with big fold back cuffs. Now there's a story. Just prior to him passing away, he was in a coma and my auntie and I were sitting talking about my upcoming wedding. I asked her if Pa had any cuff links and explained how I wanted to use them. I looked across at Pa and he had tears streaming down his face. My auntie looked at me and said "They're yours!".

Anita said...

What a lovely gift given to you. Treasure it always. Kind regards, Anita.

Running Thread said...

How lucky you are. Thanks for sharing this special story. The ring is beautiful ... but more so because of all the memories it holds.

bricolo-chic said...

a beautiful ring for a beautiful story!

SG said...

Amazing story! It's a beautiful ring to treasure for ever!

Purple Pam said...

That is a beautiful ring and a beautiful story. You are a very lucky granddaughter.

Carol said...

Woohoo, I will send you my address tonight. I have never won a blog prize, so you have made my day.

Carol

Anonymous said...

Something to treasure. Recently my grandmother sent me a special gift that she has had since she was 16. She is now 82. Back in the days of innocent love and dating, my grandmother was fancied by a few fellows in the military, stationed all over world. (of course they were from her hometown) From one she received a charm bracelet as a gift with a charm of the place he currently was stationed. This started a chain reaction with the other fellows. Some made it home after the war and some did not. Years later when my father was away in the Army, he and his friends thought it would be neat to send her more charms, of course she ended up with more than enough. She has kept this all these years and sent it to me with a little note inside the box. The note brought tears to my eyes, I am proud that she has shared this special gift with me. Something simple, yet means so much.

Carol said...

Hi

I have just emailed you my home address. If it doesn't work, let me know as I used my work email account.

Thanks

Carol :)

Annie said...

What a beautiful ring and story. Cant' go near it, but my mum and dad gave me a ring for my 21st and at the time, I wanted it to be something I looked back on in years to come which now I do. It's special.

marie said...

What a sweet treasure Kathryn! The ring is beautiful and full of memories I'm sure...how special that is!