Sapphire

 

She called me into the room and I knew that whatever she needed to say was important
All my life, anything that came out of her mouth was like gold to me
I would cherish every word
So this was no exception
Her face swelled with pride as she told me the story of how she paid for the ring herself
Imagine a hard working African-American woman from the South with an 8th grade education being prideful about something
A woman who’s lineage dates back over 11 THOUSAND years to ancestors from East Africa
And some of those were taken West to the docks of Virginia where she’d be born
Stolen like her heart
She’d proudly raise 4 kids on her own without complaint
Not to prove a point like she didn’t need a man, because that wasn’t her style
Independent before they thought about burning bra’s she exudes confidence
Her words are direct but heart as sweet as her pound cake
Not to mention her sweet potato pies.  Church goers could almost tell you better than I can but not really
See my grandmother has the spirit of life itself and not any life but a strong one
People she introduced me to would say that I have a wonderful woman for a grandmother
Then they would proceed to tell me things she’d done for them.
She was always giving of herself and her time
So when she gave me a sapphire ring encased in gold it brought tears to my eyes
Tears almost as blue as the gemstone itself
A family heirloom, she said “Your great grandfather’s birthday was in September, so I’m giving this to you.”
I stared at that ring like Frodo Baggins, NO my eyes were as big as Gollum’s when it was cleaned and its inner beauty was truly revealed.
I felt like a kid and her pride immediately was understood
A grown man when it was handed down and I felt like the same kid she took to the store that summer and bought a Matchbox car and track for my brother and I
I think she knew…somehow, she just had a feeling that I would have the same pride that she has for it and yet, my pride will never match hers when she bought it for his birthday back in 78
I was 5 then

KonciouSLea Written ©
A childhood memory (writing prompt day 2)