Gosh how wonderful to be reunited with your bracelet, (not to mention a husband who sweeps paths and notices).
There is so much pain and suffering in the struggle to let go of lost anything really. Even when we know it can never be any other way, we can still cling so tightly to what was, to what we expected to be. Expectation can be such a joy and pleasure but equally can cause so much unnecessary suffering and heartache.
I look forward to the day I read of you finding those bracelets in the sand.
Beautifully worded, Kate. It's hard not to pine for that which perhaps has given us a sense of place and meaning. In the scheme of things, I guess the bracelets are nothing, my memories of times with Mum so much more.
However - there's always that little 'but', isn't there? As a very amateur student of buddhism, I'm still trying to 'let go', to replace the 'I/ego' in living. The trouble is that so many Substacks (not just mine) revolve around memories and experiences, that sometimes, the 'I' is part of it all. Difficult to rationalise. Maybe a question for David Michie on Substack... Thank you so much for reading. Hope its a lovely day in the NW.
Im not sure it’s really achievable Prue, human nature being what it is, but I do strive to let go. I have a few very special things from my parents and I know they aren’t in the things but the feelings they evoke when I touch them are so special and comforting to me. I can imagine the pain of losing them.
Oh Prue this has given me such hope. One year after my mothers passing my house was burgled and her out family’s collection of jewelry stolen. Nothing of life changing value monetarily but enormously so to me. Included in the theft my own antique engagement ring, the only thing left the wedding ring I was wearing. It was reimagined to represent our history and life to something of great beauty. Fast forward a couple years and it too went missing. I live in hope of it returning knowing it contains my treasured original wedding ring. Your story has kept that spark alive.
I lost SO much jewelry when I was young, each time feeling so sad and foolish.. with the should've/could've self-deprecating talk making the loss even worse. I am so happy for you that this time, your mom (and your man) helped bring about a happy ending!
I do grow too attached to special objects all the while telling myself they're trivial compared to the memories they help me hold. And then I'm brought face to face with that reality with a tragedy like the one in Bondi Junction yesterday, a place my daughter and her little charges frequent often. Take care, Prue. May your inner and outer diamonds continue to shine brightly!
The Bondi tragedy was something Australia finds hard to grapple with as such things happen here rarely. That's not to say there isn't violence of course. It would be naive to presume.
It's sad that the perpetrator was known to police, had been in the state a month and was known to be mentally unstable. Hardly consolation for the victims and families of the victims and for the policewoman who inevitably stopped the man in his tracks. I'm so glad your daughter wasn't there this Saturday just passed.
So yes, my bracelets and such things are all trivial by comparison. One can only feel compassion for anyone going through tragedies or hard times. It's the least any of us can do.
So happy to hear your bracelets (v2) made it back safely to your hands again. And for your sharp eyed-husband. Those ties to special people through things that represent them are hard to lose. Especially when you have lost some of that magical connection before and remade another special version with all that hope and a bit more loss wrapped up within it. The animation is enchanting! The music, the drawings and the story, all together. Glad you found and shared that too!
Thanks Sabrina. I really was enchanted as I watched. I suddenly realised I'd been sitting immobile, just mesmerised with the little story. It has a sweet and subtle moral.
Firstly, I 100% believe that your dear mum guided that bracelet back to you! What a relief, what a good omen. And, *such* a truly elegant piece of jewellery! I was so pleased to read such a happy conclusion to all that. Plus, you've made a really thought provoking piece out of it, Prue. And thanks so much for the wee shout-out here - flattered to be in such fine company xo P.S. How endearing that The Terrier seeks out 'special oyster shells!'
Oh Prue, sending love! Have just been catching up with your last two posts (this one and the next) and I’ll be back later to comment properly. Hugs for now though!
Such a beautiful post, Prue - the subject line had caught my eye immediately, and I really feel for you for the loss of such treasures. I'm so glad that your husband found your bracelet, and like you I know exactly what it feels like to NOT find something and what that knot in the stomach feels like.
Letting things go - whether it be by accident or design - is a process, and a difficult one. I have friends who have left their art in beautiful places - a stoneware jug close to the mine where the clay was from; a lampwork glass bead released into a glistening rockpool surrounded by sand, its raw material - and that, I feel, is absolutely wonderful - returning something beautiful to the earth. Your mum's bracelets are breathing the air of the sea and have the soothing comfort of water washing over them.
Thank you for sharing my newsletter - I so appreciate you. ❤️
You've ameliorated my sadness, Rebecca with that last para.
The waters where I lost the first two bracelets are where we scattered Mum's and Dad's ashes. The bay was their favourite place to swim and boat. Now I see that perhaps Mum and the bracelets are together - a gift back to her for the immeasurable love of the mothering years. Thank you so much for this. I can't begin to tell you. It makes me a little happy-weepy.
Gosh how wonderful to be reunited with your bracelet, (not to mention a husband who sweeps paths and notices).
There is so much pain and suffering in the struggle to let go of lost anything really. Even when we know it can never be any other way, we can still cling so tightly to what was, to what we expected to be. Expectation can be such a joy and pleasure but equally can cause so much unnecessary suffering and heartache.
I look forward to the day I read of you finding those bracelets in the sand.
Cheers Kate
Beautifully worded, Kate. It's hard not to pine for that which perhaps has given us a sense of place and meaning. In the scheme of things, I guess the bracelets are nothing, my memories of times with Mum so much more.
However - there's always that little 'but', isn't there? As a very amateur student of buddhism, I'm still trying to 'let go', to replace the 'I/ego' in living. The trouble is that so many Substacks (not just mine) revolve around memories and experiences, that sometimes, the 'I' is part of it all. Difficult to rationalise. Maybe a question for David Michie on Substack... Thank you so much for reading. Hope its a lovely day in the NW.
Im not sure it’s really achievable Prue, human nature being what it is, but I do strive to let go. I have a few very special things from my parents and I know they aren’t in the things but the feelings they evoke when I touch them are so special and comforting to me. I can imagine the pain of losing them.
Your bracelet. So glad hubby found it. And relieved you are home from the hospital and healing.
Lucky ocean to hold your mom’s other bracelets with your memories.
Exactly my thoughts. Thanks for reading.
I'm so happy to know that both your wallet and bracelet were both found and returned to you. :).
Thank you, Olga. And thank you for reading.
HI Prue What a wonderful story - I'm so glad your husband found your bracelet and I wish you well with that upcoming surgery.
Thanks so much, Janice.
Oh Prue this has given me such hope. One year after my mothers passing my house was burgled and her out family’s collection of jewelry stolen. Nothing of life changing value monetarily but enormously so to me. Included in the theft my own antique engagement ring, the only thing left the wedding ring I was wearing. It was reimagined to represent our history and life to something of great beauty. Fast forward a couple years and it too went missing. I live in hope of it returning knowing it contains my treasured original wedding ring. Your story has kept that spark alive.
I lost SO much jewelry when I was young, each time feeling so sad and foolish.. with the should've/could've self-deprecating talk making the loss even worse. I am so happy for you that this time, your mom (and your man) helped bring about a happy ending!
I do grow too attached to special objects all the while telling myself they're trivial compared to the memories they help me hold. And then I'm brought face to face with that reality with a tragedy like the one in Bondi Junction yesterday, a place my daughter and her little charges frequent often. Take care, Prue. May your inner and outer diamonds continue to shine brightly!
The Bondi tragedy was something Australia finds hard to grapple with as such things happen here rarely. That's not to say there isn't violence of course. It would be naive to presume.
It's sad that the perpetrator was known to police, had been in the state a month and was known to be mentally unstable. Hardly consolation for the victims and families of the victims and for the policewoman who inevitably stopped the man in his tracks. I'm so glad your daughter wasn't there this Saturday just passed.
So yes, my bracelets and such things are all trivial by comparison. One can only feel compassion for anyone going through tragedies or hard times. It's the least any of us can do.
The least, yes. I love that this kind of thing is rare in Australia and wish we could say the same. 🧡
So glad to hear that darling husband found the bracelet, and the wallet I hope the lost at sea bracelets will find their way back to you one day xxx
XXXX
So happy to hear your bracelets (v2) made it back safely to your hands again. And for your sharp eyed-husband. Those ties to special people through things that represent them are hard to lose. Especially when you have lost some of that magical connection before and remade another special version with all that hope and a bit more loss wrapped up within it. The animation is enchanting! The music, the drawings and the story, all together. Glad you found and shared that too!
Thanks Sabrina. I really was enchanted as I watched. I suddenly realised I'd been sitting immobile, just mesmerised with the little story. It has a sweet and subtle moral.
Firstly, I 100% believe that your dear mum guided that bracelet back to you! What a relief, what a good omen. And, *such* a truly elegant piece of jewellery! I was so pleased to read such a happy conclusion to all that. Plus, you've made a really thought provoking piece out of it, Prue. And thanks so much for the wee shout-out here - flattered to be in such fine company xo P.S. How endearing that The Terrier seeks out 'special oyster shells!'
Oh Prue, sending love! Have just been catching up with your last two posts (this one and the next) and I’ll be back later to comment properly. Hugs for now though!
Always received with joy, Rebecca!
Such a beautiful post, Prue - the subject line had caught my eye immediately, and I really feel for you for the loss of such treasures. I'm so glad that your husband found your bracelet, and like you I know exactly what it feels like to NOT find something and what that knot in the stomach feels like.
Letting things go - whether it be by accident or design - is a process, and a difficult one. I have friends who have left their art in beautiful places - a stoneware jug close to the mine where the clay was from; a lampwork glass bead released into a glistening rockpool surrounded by sand, its raw material - and that, I feel, is absolutely wonderful - returning something beautiful to the earth. Your mum's bracelets are breathing the air of the sea and have the soothing comfort of water washing over them.
Thank you for sharing my newsletter - I so appreciate you. ❤️
You've ameliorated my sadness, Rebecca with that last para.
The waters where I lost the first two bracelets are where we scattered Mum's and Dad's ashes. The bay was their favourite place to swim and boat. Now I see that perhaps Mum and the bracelets are together - a gift back to her for the immeasurable love of the mothering years. Thank you so much for this. I can't begin to tell you. It makes me a little happy-weepy.
Oh, I'm so pleased to have read this, Prue. Sending love, happiness and the driest corner of my hanky your way. xxx