Story about a necklace (2)

One necklace has a very special meaning to me, it is a silver crucifix made with ox-blood red coral beads I wear it every day for more than 10 years already.

At my mother’s funeral my brother gave a beautiful speech and one part stayed with me especially. He quoted a philosopher who wrote: ‘People die twice. Ones when you pass away and ones again when you’re forgotten’. That second one hit me hard! I didn’t want to forget my mom for as long as I live and decided I needed a reminder. I would have loved to wear her wedding ring, which was melted together with my father’s wedding ring (my father died when I was only 11 years old), so they both would be with me every day, but sadly it was stolen at the rest-home, after it was taken of her finger when she passed away.

Then I remembered the little box she owned, with the red coral beads which had belonged to her grandmother as part of the traditional Dutch folklore outfit she used to wear. My mom only had inherited one-third of the traditional necklace the beads came from. I asked my brother and sisters if I could have these coral beads. For a little while I didn’t know what to do with them, how to wear them. Then I designed a silver crucifix with the coral beads incorporated in it and had it made by a jeweller. The beads are sealed in like in a counting frame. By now ofcourse I know I don’t need some item to remember my mom (and dad), I will never forget her anyway, but the necklace represents my love for her and I will always keep it with me.