What’s one thing you own that holds deep sentimental value?
Define “value”
I never met my Great-Grandmother Bertha Mae Brackbill Miller, but many years ago, I was given her bracelet, and I treasured it. It was a coppery large link piece, and near the clasp was a filigreed heart attached that opened with a tiny key that was also attached in miniature links to the heart that opened. Inside was space for two very small portraits.
It was so fragile and beautiful, I never once put it on my arm, somehow knowing that it should be kept surrounded in its cotton bed and covered with its box lid. I, of course, tried the little key and had opened it, so I knew pictures could be placed inside.
I seem to remember it in a faded beige cardboard jeweler’s box, but my husband thinks it was in a green velvet case. It survived moves across the country and back again. Here and there, I would check it was among my possessions.
But now, I can’t remember the last time I saw it. Imagine me pulling everything out of drawers, finding things that I didn’t want and some that surprised me, but not Grandma’s bracelet.
I had planned to leave it for my daughter, and I had already given her some jewelry, so I thought maybe she had it which would’ve been fine, but she looked, and the answer was no.
Although it’s definitely antique, that doesn’t mean it’s worth money, and that’s not the point.
Great-Grandma did not have a happy end to her life. The family committed her to the State Hospital, and although I asked over and over, no one would tell me why. Whomever I asked would just gloss over the question because we hid such things. The same thing happened if someone had “a nervous breakdown.” Hush! We don’t talk about things like that. Things! These weren’t things. They were illnesses!
All the pictures I found of Grandma were unsmiling and stern, until one day I found one of her and my uncle. He was a toddler, and they were both laughing. I had never seen her smile! Then I found another and another. She seemed happy! I asked my Mother about the photos, and she told me Grandma was a wonderful cook, participated in a farm organization, and did all kinds of homemaker projects.
So what happened? I’ll never know for sure. I hope her bracelet turns up one of these days, but if not, I have some precious happy pictures of her.
