On July 7th, I woke up to find a little white box addressed to me by the kitchen sink. This beautiful necklace was inside: three rings on a gold chain. The gift was from my three sisters-in-law (Eden, Jess, and Erika) and it was given on the occasion of the first anniversary of my sister Julia’s death.
I haven’t said anything about this anniversary or the painful ache of missing Julia on here, even though these things were very much on my mind recently. I wish I had some brilliant and articulate post to write about grief and missing Julia, but I don’t. I just miss her. Maybe wise words will come eventually… but for now, I feel empty and sad. I often go back to my dad’s words about thankfulness in the midst of grief.
This necklace means so much coming from my three Garber sisters, and the rings symbolize a great deal to me as I think of my sister Emily, my sister Julia, and myself. Each of us is so different, each of us is so much the same. I also love that there are three rings because rings symbolize continuity, wholeness, and eternity. Although Julia is separated from her body now — as Emily and I will be sooner or later — one day our bodies and souls will be united, perfect, and whole in the new heavens and the new earth.
I don’t wear much jewelry — usually just my wedding rings and a ring that Julia’s friends made with Romans 8:18 inscribed inside it. Now I have this beautiful necklace too. Do you wear special jewelry that was given to you by or reminds you of a loved one?
Such a beautiful necklace! Thanks for sharing Romans 8:8. Thinking about you! love Anna
Thanks, Becca, for sharing this. We were so thankful to see you, Lena, and Gil at the reunion — and thankful for your choice to be there with all of us at that time. Hope you all are doing well!
Thanks for this kind comment, Nate! It was a great blessing to be with you all, especially when I remembered that the family has lost Esther, and so they are very intimately acquainted with loss.
What a lovely gift from some very thoughtful sisters-in-law. Thinking of you, Bex. xoxo
That’s so beautiful!! You have great sisters-in-law.
I don’t think anyone can expect you to have wise words about grief and death. It’s terrible and heart-breaking. I just want to send you a big hug!
Beautiful! Such a blessing to have that kind of love and support. Praying for you as you continue to grieve.
What a beautiful necklace and such a special keepsake! You are blessed with such wonderful family!
Thank you for this, Becca. The “missing” does not go away, but I think grace and hope grow in and through and out of the missing, making you someone of greater depth and beauty. “Grace brings beauty out of ugly things….” (From ” Grace” by U2). Your necklace can foreshadow that as well as always remind you of the very special bond between three sisters. <3
such a beautiful necklace
What a beautiful, thoughtful gift. I love it’s simplicity and what it signifies to you.