The Rings....Chapter 2

Now that I had five rings, I decided to make a display case of my own. I made sure every visitor to our home saw my rings. I told them about each one, and of course, told them where they came from and all about Grandfather.

It wasn't long before I was once again in Grandfather's arms and looking at his awesome ring collection to choose one to take home. This sixth ring I chose more carefully, not knowing how many more visits I would get with my grandfather. With each visit he was getting more frail. His smile and eyes were still big and bright, but physically he was getting slower and generally looked tired. Grandfather's favorite color was green, and mine was orange, so when I saw a ring that had both of these colors, I instantly knew that would be my next ring. I was so excited to put it on my finger and show Grandfather my choice. He was watching me from his chair by the desk and smiled as tears began to roll down his worn and tired face.

"That is a very good choice, dear one. I am pleased."

I wondered if this would be my last ring from Grandfather, and as I was getting in line to get on the bus I slipped my special choice off my finger and looked at it one more time before putting it in my pocket. I smiled, and then someone bumped my arm as they were passing. I felt the ring wobble, went to get a tighter grip, accidentally flipped it in the air, and grabbed desperately at it before it hit the ground in front of me. I instinctively bent down to reach for it as I watched it bounce once on the ground, spin, and then roll towards the street. "My ring!" I yelled. People turned to look where I was pointing, but as I was trying frantically to reach it, my eyes watched as it bounced off the curb and rolled between the bars of a grate that was used to drain water from off the street. "No!" I yelled as I fell to my knees in tears. I heard people asking what was wrong and if they could help me, but I couldn't answer anyone. I just wanted to cry and be alone. But that wasn't really possible on a sidewalk where a bus was being loaded with an especially large group of people. Most people stepped around me and kept on with their business, but some stopped to ask if I was ok.

I was being so careful. I was putting the ring away so I wouldn't lose it on the bus. How could this have happened? That ride home was the worst ride I had ever taken. I kept thinking how I chose that one with Grandfather watching. I thought how happy he was with my choice. I thought about the colors...his favorite color green and my favorite color orange. I thought how perfect it was. Then I thought how I would be coming home from Grandfather's for the first time without a ring. It felt strange. I didn't like it. I put my hand in my pocket and felt around, hoping what just had happened was only something I imagined. But my pocket was empty; the ring was gone. With the reality of my losing that ring, I wept. I wept all the way home. I didn't think I could cry any more tears, but they kept coming. I felt so empty inside. I almost didn't want to go home to my other rings, but surprisingly the sight of them made me feel better. They were safe. They were there, but there was one missing. I tried hard to picture the ring I had lost sitting with the others in my display case, but I couldn't. I could barely remember what the ring looked like. It never made it home.

All I could think about was seeing Grandfather and getting another ring. Only a month passed since losing the ring, and I was fortunate to make the trip to visit Grandfather again. When I saw him standing outside his store and our eyes met, we both began to cry. He held me for a long time. He was as disappointed as I was about losing that ring. He understood. It was a difficult visit, but again he led me to the back room. We both stood at the door and looked at his display. Do I dare? Before I could ask, Grandfather put his arm around my shoulder and said, "Go ahead. Choose another one."

We walked over to the case, and immediately my eyes spotted a small gold ring with the most beautiful light blue gems. They surrounded an engraved bird, which had a tiny black jeweled eye. That was it. I chose that one. I held it close and wouldn't put it down my entire visit. Sometimes I wore it on my finger, and other times I would hold it in my hand.And when it came time for the bus ride, I didn't take it off my finger, not even to put it in my pocket. I covered it with my left hand and kept my right hand clenched, securing the ring so it couldn't slide off my finger. I was not going to lose this one!Once it was safely home, I finally released it to the display case with the other five rings. There they were: a gold ring with dark blue gems surrounding a cross, a wooden ring with a red gem and carved mountain, a beautiful golden ring with a pink gem and engraved flowers, a silver ring with yellow gems, an ivory ring with an engraved dragon and purple gems, and a smaller gold ring with light blue gems and an engraved bird. They were all marvelous and spectacular! I tried to envision the ring I lost sitting with the other six, but it was never focused enough in my mind to come through as a clear vision. As I looked at each one and noted the differences, I again thought of the similarities and how they all made a connection to Grandfather, the man I had come to love with all my heart. I treasured my rings and couldn't wait for my next visit to Grandfather's! But work was demanding and my next visit was delayed for another very long 18 months. I was so excited to finally be on that bus again and heading to my Grandfather's. Even though we frequently kept in touch, this was the longest time I spent away from my grandfather in years. I was so anxious to see him again, to feel his hug again, and to hear his voice again!