I reached into my jewelry box and pulled out two pieces of jewelry that belonged to my grandma.

It had been years since I had seen these pieces. A broken ballerina with little pink jewels and a cowgirl with a jewel missing from her face. Holding them in my hand brought a sudden rush of joy that my grandma was right here with me.

My grandma’s dressers were filled with jewelry boxes. When I was younger I would spend hours in her bedroom opening each one. I would lay out all her jewelry and put it on. She had pearls and all types of beads that sparkled so bright. There was never enough time to explore all her treasures. When it was time to put them away, I saved my favorites for last…my ballerina and cowgirl.

The opals were her favorite. We would go to the jewelry store and she would show me how to look for the fire in the opal.

Today I was reminded of my grandma’s many jewelry boxes, her passion for life, and the fire of an opal she instilled in me.

My princess and my cowgirl may be missing most of their jewels but I think they are perfect, just like my grandma.