Prompt: Describe an inanimate object that’s precious to you and the story behind it.
Circle of Love
I’m not sure if you can see it when you look at my box on Zoom, but around my neck is a thin gold chain, and on it is a golden ring. Now, this is not any ordinary ring, it is an Irish Claddagh ring, a ring with two hands clasping a heart with a crown upon it. So it goes, the hands represent friendship; the heart represents love; and the crown is a symbol of loyalty. Combined, these three virtues form the ideal relationship, one based on friendship, love and loyalty. Dating back to the 17th century, Claddagh rings are a cherished symbol of Irish culture and heritage, and are often used as engagement and wedding rings.
I received my Claddagh ring 23 years ago, a gift from my Irish-German husband Michael, before we were officially engaged. We had been living together for a few months, falling deeply in love rather quickly, when he came home from work one night with a ring box for me. I recall being terribly nervous before I opened it; I didn’t know what was inside, or how I was to respond. But when I saw it was a Claddagh ring, everything suddenly felt so right. “This is my promise ring for you,” my husband said, indicating we would be “engaged to be engaged.” I don’t remember how I responded, probably hugged him tightly in gratitude that he would be making an honest woman out of me, knowing my antiquated father who disapproved of me living with someone outside of marriage would certainly approve.
Michael would go on to give me an engagement ring, followed by a wedding band a year later. But I still wore my Claddagh ring on my right hand, feeling a part of an Irish “tribe” valuing loyalty and love. I liked that. But then the unexpected happened. My bipolar blew out, and I was put on medication that caused my thin, slender hands to swell. Suddenly, my beloved Claddagh ring didn’t fit, so I put it away in a jewelry box, where it sat. For 20 years. Yup, two decades passed by before I came across the jewelry box and opened it, and rediscovered my precious ring.
Lots had transpired during those past 20 years that confirmed my husband Michael was dedicated to friendship, love and perhaps most importantly loyalty. He had stood by my side through my 9 hospitalizations, many worsened by my alcohol and marijuana use. He had lovingly supported me as I moved in, and out, and back in to AA. And Michael has always been my friend and confidant, spending countless hours listening to me moan about my insecurities and anxieties, and offering up wisdom and reassurance that everything is indeed going to be OK. This is not to say he doesn’t frustrate me at times—Oh, he does! But we have a solid relationship, and my delicate Claddagh ring captures the essence of it so well.
When I located this ring again in my jewelry box, and tried it on but found it wouldn’t fit, I thought for a minute how I might be able to have it close to my heart, and suddenly devised a plan to wear it on a chain around my neck. For Christmas last year, my husband got me a gold necklace, and I slid my Claddagh ring on it and it hasn’t left my neck since. This “Promise” ring in many ways is more precious to me than any other piece of jewelry, anything else I own, actually. It symbolizes my recovery journey with my loved one, walking our own road less travelled. Dearest Michael, thank you for this golden circle of love.
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