It's just a little thing

but, as I wrote in November last year, it's the little things that make up all the important memories in our lives.

I remember when Eamonn bought me a Claddagh ring. It was Easter, 1969. We were in Dublin. He'd sent me a Ferry ticket to join him in Ireland for the Easter Vacastion, as he couldn't bear to be separated from me. We went to a little Jewellers shop in Henry  Street. Eamonn wanted to give me a ring that had great significance depending on the way it was worn. For a man who eschewed metaphor at that time, he had great affinity with the tradition of the ring. 

The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart and usually surmounted by a crown. These elements symbolize the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). Claddagh rings are relatively popular among the Irish and those of Irish heritage, as cultural symbols and as friendship, engagement and wedding rings. The  ring was worn with the intention of conveying the wearer's relationship status:

On the left ring finger with the point of the heart toward the fingertips: the wearer is engaged.

On the left ring finger with the point of the heart toward the wrist: the wearer is married.

I've worn that ring for over 51 years and, apart from having it repaired when a crack appeared at the edge of one of the hands, I never took it off.

Over the Christmas break, the pain in my left hand began to increase, especially the finger joints. I noticed that the ring finger bone was swollen. I decided I'd better remove my rings before it was too late. The Claddagh refused to go over the bone. I tried a few home-remedies and, after a long struggle, managed to get it off. The wedding ring is one size larger and slipped off easily. 

I left the rings off overnight, in the hope that the swelling would go down. It now seems that the bone has a touch of arthritis and is not going  to get any smaller unless I take anti-inflammatory pills. I'm unwilling to do that. This morning, I had a major meltdown at the thought that I would never wear the Claddagh again. It's too large for either of my little fingers and in danger of becoming jammed on my ring finger.

I've never been one for wearing jewels of any kind. The one ring that Eamonn bought for our 45th anniversary, has a beautiful, dark-navy, sapphire. I've worn it only to special events as there was no room on either ring finger unless I removed another ring. I usually wore it on my right hand in place of my signet ring.

After much soul-searching, and settling on the idea of wearing the Claddagh on a gold chain, I decided to wear the sapphire next to my wedding ring.

A ring - such a little thing, and yet filled with such significance, and the ability to cause an emotional meltdown;

The Claddagh representing love, loyalty, and friendship. 

The Sapphire -  known as the wisdom stone. It is meant to represent intelligence, education and the ability to make wise and good choices. The sapphire is an ideal gemstone for those looking to channel their energies into clear, positive thinking to accomplish goals. 

Having calmed down from the original disappointment at not being able to wear the Claddagh on my left hand, I am reconciled to the idea of replacing it with the sapphire ring. My way forward has to channel my energy into building a future with new purpose and focus.