Talisman

Isn't it funny how we take physical objects and tell them what they are going to be and then sometimes they become that?  "This is my new "my life will never be the same once we finally meet" dress."  Yes, its purple, which I never wear and has satiny bits hanging off it, which I also never wear and I'm wearing flats with it....which I normally wouldn't be caught dead in.  But it doesn't always seem to matter how wrong the outfit may be for the occasion or how dirty the yellow piece of yarn worn knotted around our wrist in remembrance of someone gets, what matters is the faith we put in these objects.  They are our talismans.  They hold the power with which we endue them.   

I stack the too-big turquoise and silver ring that I haven't gotten around to getting sized under the spiraling silver spoon ring with the scarab beetle carved into the end of the handle.  The turquoise my father spent far too much money on at a souvenir shop near the Grand Canyon and the spoon ring is the first gift my husband bought me when we began dating.  

Next, I slip on the silver Michael Kors watch outfitted with the date, a timer, and another circle I haven't quite figured out how to use.  It gives a satisfactory snap as I close the clasp and immediately slides towards my elbow.  It has been sized, but I can't seem to get it small enough for my abnormally tiny wrists.  This piece was a Christmas gift from my brother, and I can't help thinking that he gave me the gift of order.  Dad's gift was of beauty, color, creativity and even space.  And, Todd's gift, though incredibly beautiful, it more than anything promotes stability....keeps the beauty, color and creativity in place.  

On my right hand, I place another spoon ring...this one copper also bought at the Grand Canyon, but paid for by me.  I add a couple of copper bracelets to my right wrist.  Gifts from my mother who doesn't wear jewelry but purchases it for me.  The copper warms me and glows sunshine and strength which my Vitamin D deficient body and soul so desperately longs for.  

The final talisman I wear also slides on to my right wrist....a grown up multi-colored friendship looking bracelet I found at Farmer's Market and purchase for myself and two good friends.  I look down at it, praying that it holds together firmly with the double knot I've tied and that this friendship which has caught me unaware will be tighter for the three of us and not just two.  I think of all these things as I dress for the day.  These pieces, they are my sacred things...guarding against fear, intimidation, and despair, just ordinary objects till I told them what they were.