Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Heart shaped charm

Years ago I gave her a silver bracelet with a heart-shaped charm on it. It wasn't a particularly expensive piece of jewelry, but she loved it and wore it every day.  And when I went to sea, she gave it to me to take along. 

I hung it up in my bunk and would look at it before I went to bed and when I got up in the morning. It dangled there and would sway back and forth with the motion of the ship.  The ship's motion was hypnotic and the motion of that heart was also hypnotic.  It would gently sway above me. 

I would return the heart to her every time I came home.  She would put it on with a smile, hooking the clasp at her wrist.

Then one afternoon we were on the sailboat and she had finished hanking on the jib.  It was raining so we were both hurrying to get back in the cabin.  She came inside, took off her wet jacket, and said "My heart is gone."  I wasn't sure what she was talking about but she pointed to her wrist. 

We searched forward on the boat and we looked in the cabin and berth.  No bracelet, no heart.  She took it in stride, saying that she was sure it was lost when she was hanking on the jib. She regretted having worn it on the boat.  We talked a bit about how it had been so many places with her and with me.  It didn't seem right that it would be lost over the side, settling down into the dark mud on the bottom, perhaps being investigated by a passing fish, and then finally silted over for eternity. 

A few days ago, I went down to the boat to check on things after a windy, rainy day.  I got inside and looked at the aft bilge and there sitting on a piece of canvas was a heart shaped charm bracelet.  It glinted even in the feeble light.  I called her as soon as it was found.  I had told her that I would give her another heart but she wanted the one that I held in my hand.  

33 comments:

  1. That is so beautiful. What a lovely story, well written. Thanks for the treat.

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  2. I have had the same experience a few times Syd. Losing something precious only to find it unexpectedly sometime, somewhere.

    Serendipity?

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  3. what a wonderful tale Syd... beautifully related :-)

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  4. Did it occur to you that maybe your "good luck heart charm" was needed on the boat during that time more than on her arm?

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  5. God kept your heart on that boat for many years, what a beautiful thing!

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  6. So lovely and tender.

    I can imagine the joy having found the bracelet again!

    Joy always,
    Susan

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  7. Wow.

    Of course!

    Blessings and aloha...

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  8. That's wonderful. I hate the horrible feeling of losing something precious like that.

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  9. awesome and romantic. what a lovely story thanks so much for sharing this with the rest of us. i am glad i stopped by today.

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  10. I loved your words, "I had told her that I would give her another heart but she wanted the one that I held in my hand."

    Have a wonderful day!

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  11. Excellent story, love the metaphors, and glad to know that romance is alive and well.

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  12. Beautiful story. Glad it turned up.

    Love,

    SB

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  13. Wow, great story! Thanks!!!

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  14. What a beautiful, touching and profound story. You truly have a gift for writing.

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  15. That is so special and sweet. You both shared the heart bracelet for the different times together and apart. Sooooo glad you found it.

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  16. I can completely relate to this beautiful story. Lovely. It's good when we get our hearts back, right?

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  17. Great story and beautifully written, Syd.

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  18. Why, you old "romantic", you!!! The angel of LOVE put it there for you to find, and a strong bond was strengthened even more...

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  19. How wonderful! Many blessings,
    Marie

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  20. You gotta love a story with a happy ending.

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  21. very beautiful and sweet. what a nice read : ))

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  22. Syd, I am here catching up...what a lovely and touching story! I am so glad you found her heart - but I guess you had it all along :)

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  23. Beautiful story... touching. Thanks for sharing Syd

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  24. So romantic and moving -- thanks for sharing this Syd

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  25. Oh my, that is beautifully sweet.

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  26. This was one of the most beautiful things I have read in a very very long time.

    I am glad you and Mrs. Syd have each other.

    Thank you for printing this Syd

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