Oh gosh! The range of emotions you've described! So glad you found the bracelet... and yes to attachments & sometimes we are loath to let any reminder of our younger lives go. I understand!
And yes to PiP's substack. It's a joy unfolding isn't it?
My goodness! What a story!! And what a lovely outcome. An excellent topic for today’s post. Attachment is so real. Even if it’s just as a downsizer trying to work out how to get rid of some of my wonderful ‘goods and chattels’. So many memories. So many special things. Sigh…
Attachment brings with it equal amounts of love and pain - it’s just being able to float along with both that is the hardest part. Thanks for reading, Beth and good luck with your downsizing. There’s a great book - the Swedish Art of Death Cleaning, not at all as mawkish as it sounds and is immensely positive.
I know how I’d feel if I lost Rob’s ring which I’ve worn since the day he died 28 years ago. I touch it so many times throughout the course of the day. I’m so glad that you found your precious bracelet Prue. xx
Prue, haven't you lost this very same bracelet before?? I remember your perfect description of it so well. And I thought your husband found in the garden as a very welcome Easter surprise? Am I going mad - quite possibly, or maybe you have a few of these exquisite bracelets! Either way, a lovely, thought provoking piece as always. (And yes, the attachment thing is SO tricky. I get around it by reminding myself that I am not a monk lol and therefore, remain stuck with a Beginner's Mind). Also I *hope* this is why it's called a Practice ...
I did! Thank you for reminding me. I took this one to the jeweler’s again, and they are mending it currently - new clasp. Last time, the little bars that slide through the beads had worn through and so they replaced those. I think the Universe is trying to tell me something, but the thought of ONLY wearing them to something special (we live such a staid life) is sad. But it came to that over the summer. I placed them in a silk bag and didn't wear them until autumn. Terrified I’d lose them at the beach or in the garden. Seems that whatever I love to do, then they’re at risk.
Lesson learned. Hopefully!
Buddhist practice is hard. Much intellectual wrangling required and thence meditation to soothe the mind. But then that’s probably the same for every philosophy.
Those small but precious ties to those we have lost...I wear a gold ring .y mom had made from her father's tie clasp. I treasure it and know it will go to my daughter ...before I am gone. I want to give it to her and recount the story of love. This week while visiting my Hawaii family, I gave my beloved daughter-in-law, an opal strung on a gold chain . My uncle brought it back from Japan at the end of WW2 for his mother who passed on to my mother and then to me. It is a simple style that Erica embraces and I love knowing she wears it honoring ohana.
As a youngster, I was very prone to losing jewelry. I remember feeling utterly heartbroken when I lost a silver bracelet that had been a gift from my parents. Now, I wear little of it, so there are fewer opportunities for things to go missing. Were I to lose something as precious as your two bracelets, I'd be inconsolable. Perhaps, once you've had them both strengthened and/or repaired, you can choose to wear them only on occasion when there is less likelihood of them being banged about?
The lost-but-found embroidery piece is wonderful! My older daughter has taken up the craft and is enjoying being a beginner. I showed her your beautiful egg last night! 💜
Pup gets cuter every week! Thank you for sharing his progress, and for introducing the two writers. Pip is delightful, and Kana's most recent post about word meanings made me wonder what English words have greater depth than their definitions imply. I have a nephew in Tokyo whose wife grew up in rural Japan (about 6 hours from Kana, it seems). She and her family are all such remarkable people. Have I already recommended The View From Breast Pocket Mountain, written by her mother, Karen Anton?
Am noting the Anton book for future reference so thank you for that and yes, to not wearing them which kind of means at all, as I seem to do a lot of banging about.
Pup? He’s really settling in now and we move in a tumble of threes - husband, self and pup. It’s lovely, just the way I hoped it would be but doubted, after the death of my darling late terrier.
I hear you on the banging about. I'm pretty sure that was the start of my own minimizing in the jewelry department. I know it was the impetus for an engagement ring that did not sit proud in its setting the way my mother's had. 💍
So pleased you found the bracelet, especially as its so full of memories. Your embroidery is gorgeous. Our Son loves Japan and him and his s wife just returned from holiday there a couple of weeks ago, they're planning their next trip there 2026/27 they've been there a few times now .
I bought myself a special bracelet for Christmas and wore it for 24 sweet hours. It could be in the park where I walked the dog, in the driveway, parking lot or fallen between the floorboards of my old house. I felt sick about it. I didn’t have it long enough to feel nostalgic, instead I wrestled with the greed of wanting such an expensive thing… I’ve since let that go, but wow, the emotions that come up!
Ohhh I'm intrigued. Will keep an eye out for it. I go into hospital on 27th for a few weeks. Not sure I'll be well enough to write postcards, but it's been such a joy receiving them. Will try to get some done before I'm admitted. X
I remember you'd written before about lost jewellery - am I right? Items with personal history, even those with little value, are the most precious of all.
I know all too well that sickening, empty feeling right at the bottom of my chest when something important to me is lost. I'm so sorry you went through that with your bracelet, but I'm so delighted that you found it - that's the world's happiest ending! x
Same bracelet, lost again. Second time. I’m regulating where and when I wear it now. It would be shattering to lose it a third time as I doubt it would be returned to me.
So so SO lucky you found it. I’m way too attached to be detached… so I hear you. And that embroidery is beautiful.
Thanks Joanne. I really feel I must not wear them anymore...
Oh gosh! The range of emotions you've described! So glad you found the bracelet... and yes to attachments & sometimes we are loath to let any reminder of our younger lives go. I understand!
And yes to PiP's substack. It's a joy unfolding isn't it?
Pip’s links are like glittering stars. I don’t know how she finds the time to search for them, read them and then write, babysit, knit and cook!
As to letting things go… soooo hard. I’m glad we’re of a mind.
My goodness! What a story!! And what a lovely outcome. An excellent topic for today’s post. Attachment is so real. Even if it’s just as a downsizer trying to work out how to get rid of some of my wonderful ‘goods and chattels’. So many memories. So many special things. Sigh…
Attachment brings with it equal amounts of love and pain - it’s just being able to float along with both that is the hardest part. Thanks for reading, Beth and good luck with your downsizing. There’s a great book - the Swedish Art of Death Cleaning, not at all as mawkish as it sounds and is immensely positive.
Yes. It is a very good read. Apparently there’s an SBS series on it. I’ll have to look it up. Hugs dear Prue.
Oooh, I’ll have to check SBS. Thank you.
I know how I’d feel if I lost Rob’s ring which I’ve worn since the day he died 28 years ago. I touch it so many times throughout the course of the day. I’m so glad that you found your precious bracelet Prue. xx
Oh Louise… XXXX
Prue, haven't you lost this very same bracelet before?? I remember your perfect description of it so well. And I thought your husband found in the garden as a very welcome Easter surprise? Am I going mad - quite possibly, or maybe you have a few of these exquisite bracelets! Either way, a lovely, thought provoking piece as always. (And yes, the attachment thing is SO tricky. I get around it by reminding myself that I am not a monk lol and therefore, remain stuck with a Beginner's Mind). Also I *hope* this is why it's called a Practice ...
I did! Thank you for reminding me. I took this one to the jeweler’s again, and they are mending it currently - new clasp. Last time, the little bars that slide through the beads had worn through and so they replaced those. I think the Universe is trying to tell me something, but the thought of ONLY wearing them to something special (we live such a staid life) is sad. But it came to that over the summer. I placed them in a silk bag and didn't wear them until autumn. Terrified I’d lose them at the beach or in the garden. Seems that whatever I love to do, then they’re at risk.
Lesson learned. Hopefully!
Buddhist practice is hard. Much intellectual wrangling required and thence meditation to soothe the mind. But then that’s probably the same for every philosophy.
I'm so glad you found them.
Those small but precious ties to those we have lost...I wear a gold ring .y mom had made from her father's tie clasp. I treasure it and know it will go to my daughter ...before I am gone. I want to give it to her and recount the story of love. This week while visiting my Hawaii family, I gave my beloved daughter-in-law, an opal strung on a gold chain . My uncle brought it back from Japan at the end of WW2 for his mother who passed on to my mother and then to me. It is a simple style that Erica embraces and I love knowing she wears it honoring ohana.
Perfect heirlooms. A lovely story, Susan.
Wow!! I can feel the relief from here, Prue.
As a youngster, I was very prone to losing jewelry. I remember feeling utterly heartbroken when I lost a silver bracelet that had been a gift from my parents. Now, I wear little of it, so there are fewer opportunities for things to go missing. Were I to lose something as precious as your two bracelets, I'd be inconsolable. Perhaps, once you've had them both strengthened and/or repaired, you can choose to wear them only on occasion when there is less likelihood of them being banged about?
The lost-but-found embroidery piece is wonderful! My older daughter has taken up the craft and is enjoying being a beginner. I showed her your beautiful egg last night! 💜
Pup gets cuter every week! Thank you for sharing his progress, and for introducing the two writers. Pip is delightful, and Kana's most recent post about word meanings made me wonder what English words have greater depth than their definitions imply. I have a nephew in Tokyo whose wife grew up in rural Japan (about 6 hours from Kana, it seems). She and her family are all such remarkable people. Have I already recommended The View From Breast Pocket Mountain, written by her mother, Karen Anton?
Am noting the Anton book for future reference so thank you for that and yes, to not wearing them which kind of means at all, as I seem to do a lot of banging about.
Pup? He’s really settling in now and we move in a tumble of threes - husband, self and pup. It’s lovely, just the way I hoped it would be but doubted, after the death of my darling late terrier.
Picturing the tumble of you three, and smiling.
I hear you on the banging about. I'm pretty sure that was the start of my own minimizing in the jewelry department. I know it was the impetus for an engagement ring that did not sit proud in its setting the way my mother's had. 💍
So pleased you found the bracelet, especially as its so full of memories. Your embroidery is gorgeous. Our Son loves Japan and him and his s wife just returned from holiday there a couple of weeks ago, they're planning their next trip there 2026/27 they've been there a few times now .
Pup is still adorable xx ❤️🧡💛
I bought myself a special bracelet for Christmas and wore it for 24 sweet hours. It could be in the park where I walked the dog, in the driveway, parking lot or fallen between the floorboards of my old house. I felt sick about it. I didn’t have it long enough to feel nostalgic, instead I wrestled with the greed of wanting such an expensive thing… I’ve since let that go, but wow, the emotions that come up!
x
Totally sympathise!
So pleased to read you found the little treasure.
You get a mention in this week’s newsletter, Maree!
Ohhh I'm intrigued. Will keep an eye out for it. I go into hospital on 27th for a few weeks. Not sure I'll be well enough to write postcards, but it's been such a joy receiving them. Will try to get some done before I'm admitted. X
Just concentrate on getting through this next section of treatment. And watch for the mail. XXXX
Thank you I have addressed some postcards, maybe the first week in hospital I'll get time to write in them. x
Oh Prue!!! The RELIEF!
I remember you'd written before about lost jewellery - am I right? Items with personal history, even those with little value, are the most precious of all.
I know all too well that sickening, empty feeling right at the bottom of my chest when something important to me is lost. I'm so sorry you went through that with your bracelet, but I'm so delighted that you found it - that's the world's happiest ending! x
Same bracelet, lost again. Second time. I’m regulating where and when I wear it now. It would be shattering to lose it a third time as I doubt it would be returned to me.