A gift given, and then given again

I gave my friend a pendant. It was a beautiful pendant. I had fallen in love with it for a summer. During my first stint as a resident of Cape May, I had seen this necklace where I worked. It was a mandala of blue and red turquoise on a silver four-pointed foundation. The chain the pendant swung on was lovely as well. It was twisted delicately and caught the lite from all around. At the end of my summer there, the folks I worked for offered me the pendant at a much reduced, and more affordable, price. I was elated. I really believed that of all my material posessions, this was the most beautiful.

I wore the pendant, on its beautifully twisting chain for a long time. My best friend loved it as much as I did. She would borrow it occasionally and whenever she wore it I could tell she felt it was as beautiful as I did. Eventually I started to toss around the idea of giving this pendant to my friend. She loved it as I did, and I loved her, so I felt it only made sense for me to let go of it and pass it on to her. So I did. And if you know Britt, if you have the pleasure of knowing the person I get to call my best friend, then most likely you have seen this pendant. She still wears it, and she loves it still. It has become an integral part of her appearance.

It was almost ten years ago when I saw that piece of jewelry for the first time. And up until a few months ago, I hadn't seen a pendant I liked quite as much.

I am lucky enough to work with beautiful people. Creative, kind and intelligent people that I am also lucky enough to call my friends.

There was this pendant for sale where we work. Similar to the one I gave Britt, but different. It was expensive as well, and I knew I couldn't afford it. I mentioned to my friends at work how beautiful I thought it was. And then one day, it was gone. I was not heartbroken, I hadn't really considered buying it, but I did love the idea.

Yesterday at work, three people I work with, three fantastic beautiful people gave me a card and a gift. Knowing that I have been going through a lot, and also aware of my impending surgery, this was a good luck message, a little love from my friends to keep my spirits up.

And lo and behold, here it is:















Thank you Danny, Donna and Rien (Kristina and Rowen as well). Your friendship over the past year has been so important to me and your concern and positivity towards my surgery has been soothing to my soul. Thank you.