Funny how important a little thing like a ring can be.. I never wanted
an engagement ring, although Clyde really wanted to give me one. My own
mother had only worn a slim gold band and to me it was THE symbol of
marriage commitment.
I never wanted a diamond wedding band. SO I won the "argument" and we
exchanged simple gold bands at our wedding. BUT on our first Christmas
there was a small jeweler's box and a sealed envelope under the tree .
Inside the box was a small solitaire diamond engagement ring. The letter
in the envelope was a beautiful love letter . I sat and cried. (Why do
we cry at the happiest times??) Of course I loved the ring and wore it
with my gold band proudly..the simple single stone was also a commitment
of ONE.
Well, story continues. About four years later I was rushing
through supper clean-up in order to get to WMU (Women's Missionary
Union) meeting. Of course, as I so often am, I was a bit late so sat on
the back row,catching my breath. About half way through meeting I
happened to glance down at my hands and an empty hole stared up at me
from my engagement ring. My heart almost stopped beating and I had to
force myself to sit through the rest of the meeting.
At that time we lived next door to the church so I rushed home as soon
as I could get away . frantically looking for a flashlight. I just knew
I had lost the diamond on the short space between home and church.
Trying to calm me, Clyde took the flashlight and we searched and
searched for the lost diamond but realized it was a hopeless task at
night. EARLY next morning we were out practically on our hands and knees
and covered every step I had walked between the house and the church
pew. Then we re-searched (Is that where the word research comes
from??) every imaginable place in the house, but to no avail.
Brokenhearted, I had to accept the fact that my diamond was gone
forever "where all good diamonds go...." We finally decided that in my
rush I hadn't removed my ring before washing dishes and had knocked it
loose and it had gone un-noticed down the drain with the dishwater when
I removed the sink "plug"
Clyde tried to comfort me with the promise of another larger, more
beautiful ring, even a new set. But I refused. To me there was only
one REAL engagement ring and I didn't want a substitute.. Then he begged
to have it reset with a much larger stone but again I refused..same
reason.. Another stone would just make it another ring..the simple
solitaire had been the symbol of our "once-in-OUR-lifetime" commitment
to each other. So, I put my ring back in it's original box (of course I
had kept the box..didn't you??) and
placed it in the back of my jewelry drawer.
In the years since then, Clyde has bought me MANY beautiful rings and I
love them all and love him for his continuing pledge of love and the
unfulfilled desire to fill the void left by that small but precious
diamond I lost long ago. Maybe one day, one of my grandchildren will
want to have Granny's ring reset to be worn or given as a pledge of
their "Once- in- a-Lifetime" love and commitment to that special person
who will come into their life. . Probably not... Surely, each young
couple wants their very own expression of promise and devotion.
Perhaps the Lord had a beautiful secret..one of HIS diamonds... for me
to discover as time has passed. Life has a way of stealing precious
irreplaceable things and people from us leaving unseen voids and spaces
and gaps in our hearts. But we have the golden memories- untainted,
undimmed, unbroken- that time cannot erase. And just like the many
beautiful rings Clyde has given me in the years we have shared together
, the Lord sees those empty places in our hearts and so sweetly fills
them with extravagant gifts of His continuing love. And He attaches a
love-note and promise of His everlasting love and presence..
THE WRITINGS OF RUTH MARTIN
