The Necklace (08/09/2026)

Yesterday, as I walked around the wedding shower for my grandson and his fiancé, I introduced myself to those I didn’t know yet. I figured we’d all be family, in a way, soon.  When I introduced myself to Betty, my grandson’s fiancé’s grandmother, she commented on my necklace almost immediately. I clutched it with a smile and explained it was a gift from my husband that I’ve worn every day since he gave it to me on our 25^th wedding anniversary.

Later, as I pondered the day and gave thanks to the LORD for all the help He sent me as I prepared and threw the shower for the couple and gave thanks for a great gathering and new beginnings, my mind returned to my conversation with Betty. I clutched my necklace again. A lot has happened in the 32 years since then. But two things haven’t: I have worn that necklace every single day during that time as a reminder to me of my husband’s love, support and presence; I have carried my pocket cross every single day during that time as a reminder to me of the LORD’s love, grace and presence. There’s a trend there – I value a physical reminder of an invisible that has been the anchor of my life.

When my husband gave me the necklace at an Irish shop in Lake Geneva on April 26, 1994, I knew that I would treasure it and wear it often. But it turns out I only wear it – no other necklace. It is “the necklace.”

It is an Irish Claddagh in a heart. The heart in the center symbolizes love, the crown symbolizes loyalty, and the hands symbolize friendship. Everyday, as I put in on, I remember him giving it to me, the look on his face, the way I felt. And in tough moments, I am known to clutch it and recall all that and what the image symbolizes.

I started carrying my pocket cross daily over 50 years ago as a reminder to me especially in those moments when I need a reminder that the LORD is with me always and everywhere and His love is holding me, even when or perhaps more accurately especially when I am floundering and unaware of His loving presence. I owe my habit to my father who reminded me on a very dark day that the LORD takes care of us but that it doesn’t always look like what we think it should. On my pocket cross is my Savior on the cross with the Father holding the cross in His hands and the Spirit above. Jesus struggled, too, in a moment when He felt alone – “Why have you forsaken me?” Now I know that never was the case.

Our journeys in this life are not easy. But we are blessed to not journey alone. We were created in relationship with the LORD and with our parents for relationship with our LORD and one another. It is all about relationships – not possessions, not geography or location, not politics. It is all about relationships. And we need to do whatever we can to keep that at the forefront of our lives, our thoughts and our journeys.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.