A Child's View
She sat on her grandmother's bed gleefully going
through all of the jewelry....stopping now and then to
try on a ring or bracelet. This had become a tradition
whenever she visited "Grammy". I loved these times we
spent together. As she asked me questions or told me
tid-bits of gossip or what she likes most in school. The
grandchildren were growing up quickly and whenever we
got together I made an effort to spend time with each
one individually. This was Kelly's favorite way to spend
time with me. Cuddled together on my bed watching a
movie, laughing and talking, making up knock-knock jokes
or going through my jewelry box.
Kelly inspected
each piece very carefully. She loved having me tell her
how her favorite pieces had been acquired....never
growing tired of hearing the stories. Of all the rings
she loved the magic ring the most. As she placed it on
her finger...first with the blue topaz and diamonds
showing....and then flipping it over so that it was just
a cluster of diamonds.....she laughed with
delight.
I watched her closely trying to remember
every detail of her face.....the deep blue eyes
surrounded by long black lashes; her tiny nose that was
sprinkled with freckles that overflowed onto her cheeks;
the smile that lit up her face despite the missing
tooth; and her thick, long blonde hair that glistened
when the sun kissed it.
While watching her I
noticed that she had become very quiet as she inspected
my collection of Judaic pendants. As a German born Jew
wearing a piece of Judaic jewelry was not a fashion
statement. It was a statement of who I am and that
Hitler's Final Solution had not succeeded. But, Kelly,
like her brothers and father, was a non-denominational
Christian. At the tender age of seven she was still
trying to understand the differences between Judaism and
Christianity. Kelly often had to be reassured that
despite our religious differences we were a
family.
"Grammy, you really are my grandmother
aren't you?"
"Absolutely, Kelly, forever and
always."
"Some of the kids have told me that
we're not really related because Mom isn't really my
Mom."
Our daughter, Stacey, had married Bill one
beautiful summer day. By doing so she had given us the
most precious gifts....three instant
grandchildren.
I reassured Kelly that religion,
blood type, or who her birth mother was had nothing to
do with making a family. A family only needed one
ingredient and that was love. She threw her arms around
me and hugged me tightly. I could smell the green apple
shampoo she had used earlier, felt her soft arms around
my neck, and realized how much taller she was since her
last visit.
Going back to the Judaic collection
Kelly picked up each piece and inspected it
carefully.
"Grammy, I don't understand, why do
all of your stars belong to Grandpa? Why don't you have
any of your own?"
"Kelly, what do you mean? These
are all mine, sweetie."
"But, Grammy, they're all
Stars of David. Why aren't there any Stars of
you?"
I was actually speechless for a moment.
Then I laughed and hugged her
tightly.
"Kelly-belly, you goose, these Stars of
David aren't named for Grandpa. They're named after a
King of the Jewish people who lived a very long time
ago. When he went into battle his shield was decorated
with a six pointed star. The Jewish people loved him so
much that they decided to wear this Star in honor of him
and to let others know that they were Jews. That's why
it's called the Star of David."
As she stared at
me intently.....taking in all of this new
information....suddenly a light went on in her brain.
First she giggled and then we both collapsed into
laughter as Kelly pronounced, "Now I
understand!"
It was one of those moments I shall
always treasure. It really is the little things....with
a touch of love.....that make a family. When she grows
older this will become one of the "Kelly" stories I will
tell to her children.
© shaynamaydle
INTRODUCTION