Since giving birth to my daughter late last year, I’ve often wondered how my dad’s death nearly four years ago will be addressed as she grows. What questions will she ask? How will I answer them? What will she think about all this? Needless to say, it’s one piece of “baggage” I hate having to introduce, but I feel fortunate we have a few years before this becomes a real issue.
The topic resurfaced in my mind the other day after a rather heartwarming episode. I actually took the time to put myself together that day (a rare occurrence anymore), which included putting on my wedding ring and a
memorial ring I had made in my dad’s memory. He gave me a circular diamond pendant when I was a young girl and I turned it into a ring I could wear on an everyday basis after he died. I realized I would get much more wear out of a ring and enjoyed having the chance to view this simple reminder of him every time I looked down. Until my rings started becoming an unintended baby-scratching hazard, I wore it every single day.
That evening, I was feeding my daughter her messy pureed dinner and the ring immediately caught her attention. I know I’ve worn it in the past, but she has just now reached the stage where she pays attention to the little details. It took me aback when she was unable to concentrate on anything besides the ring (including the larger ones I was wearing on the other hand). It was such a touching moment, I had to capture a few pictures. She obviously has no idea of the significance of this ring, or how “special” I thought the moment was, which makes it all the more amazing.
In addition to touching it, spinning it and trying to pick it up, she then attempted to eat it – but I’m just going to pretend she gave it a little grandpa kiss.
I have reverted back to keeping my rings on my dresser, as usual, but I flip back to these pictures every now and then because it reminds me of the lasting legacy of my dad on everyone he left behind.
