My Mom-in-law is going to Denmark on Tuesday, for a huge family reunion. Prior to trips, she is notorious for holding what we fondly refer to as "Trudy's Death Watch" sessions, which are pretty much informational sessions instructing us what to give whom in the event of her untimely (airplane plunging in a fiery death spiral into the Atlantic) demise. This time, she was in the midst of telling me who gets all her Mormon related materials when I had a thought- what would Tori get, if (God forbid) she should no longer be around? I know that Eric's sisters are all qued up for the large stone rings and big ticket items, but I really felt Tori should get something of sentimental value that belonged to Trudy and Bob, my deceased FIL and all-around great guy. In the meanwhile, Tori was sketching a pic for Trudy in prep for her trip- one of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen. She finished it, and took it downstairs to Trudy. A few minutes later, Trudy came up and handed me a plain gold band, well worn and obviously older. She told me that it was her and Bob's first wedding ring, later replaced by a more opulent one that is earmarked for her eldest daughter. Tori put it on, and it was a perfect fit. I feel like I hit the lottery- I didn't know this ring even existed. It's just a plain band, but it means the world to me, and to Tori as well. I don't give a shyt about monetary value- the idea of heirloom and sentimental meaning is sooooo very much more valuable to me. On my side of the family there is really nothing, and I want Tori to have a sense of tradition and continuity of family- it's more important to me than anything, and I love that she 'gets it' She knows how special this is, and I am so happy that she will have have something to pass on to her children.
After a horrid week, color me happy.
