Sunday, October 25, 2009

Gift



Mr. Curry and I flew to San Jose in the months before Christmas one year, leaving behind our children with Grandma Mary. I was to have my second surgery for endometriosis, at the hands of a specialist I had found through a year of research about my disease and the latest treatments and surgeries. Dr Andrew Cook specializes in endometriosis treatment and surgery, and his center had no black marks against it, only the relieved and grateful voices of many women made free from chronic, debilitating pain through his hands and methods.

We arrrived in San Jose, took the shuttle to the car rental and drove to Dr. Cook's offices for my pre-surgical consultations. After this was over, we had two days of waiting. We stayed at a hotel right down the boutique filled mainstreet, and after eating, walked down the streets, browsing shops. I held Mr. Curry's hand tightly. I was afraid. He spent a lot of time making me laugh and like Nie's Mr. Nielson, smacking my ass. We are big butt smackers in my house. My husband smacks mine every chance he gets.

Stopping in a small boutique, I saw the above necklace and fell in object love. I don't often do this, wether from an inner boundry carved out of poverty or just my personal asthetic, is is rare that I see an object I feel I wildly want to own. This necklace was one of those. I went through each charm on it, tried it on, put it back. The minature white tag with a typewritten price tage made clear that this necklace was out of our price range, especially for a couple about to embark on the most expensive journey of their marriage: health care.

Mr. Curry let me walk out the door before pulling me back in. He knocked lightly on the glass with his large working man knuckles. ' I'd like this for my wife, please, ' he said softly.

He put it around me neck and I spent the entire day feeling it's weight on my chest, fingering the charms, marveling at how happy I felt before a major surgery. At night we lay in the hotel bed eating chicken salad and cheesecake. We fell asleep curled up together, the necklace lying on my naked chest.

It was a scary time. It was unknown what the outcome would be. And Mr. Curry turned it into a time for the two of us to work our way deeper into each other's hearts.

I wear this necklace all the time. The children at my school adore it, moving it around, the babies often grab it and stuff it in their mouths. If I ever lose it, I will be so, so sad. But I will still have the memory of that week in San Jose. And I will not lose that.

ps
In a sweet synchronicity, I went to Mrs. Moon's blog Bless Our Hearts, one of my favorite blogs ever from one of my favorite women, and found this post.
Unknown said...

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this very special and vulnerable time in your life.

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Mr. Curry is wonderful!

Laura Lee said...

I think momentos of these crucial times in our lives are precious.

The Girl said...

It's beautiful. So are you, and so are your stories. Thank you for sharing with us.

Mwa said...

Beautiful thing, beautiful story. Better to wear it and lose it than stuff it in a drawer.

Jeanne Estridge said...

I love coming here because I always find something true.

michelle said...

Hey Lady-
I just saw your comment from the 10th. I don't see your email listed, but anytime you want to email me feel free. michepatrick@gmail.com

"wether from an inner boundry carved out of poverty"-I love that line. For me it was a poverty of love...

Despite everything, our men take care of us, huh?

Katy said...

Beautiful - hope you are keeping well xx

Ms. Moon said...

Maggie- Ah. We have our necklaces. Humans have always made and worn jewelry- perhaps that is what makes us human- the adornment of ourselves.
Beautiful necklace, beautiful woman, beautiful story.

M said...

that is soo sweet :-)

Boozy Tooth said...

Oh what a wise and thoughtful man Mr Curry is. And how lucky you have each other.

Sometimes the oddest things click in our minds and help us to channel our greatest faith and strength through them. This trinket did the trick for you and I am praying your surgery is as successful as your marriage.

Thank you for sharing this lovely moment with us.

justmakingourway said...

How lovely - the story and the necklace. It's wonderful that you can have those memories of a time that was made so special.

Steam Me Up, Kid said...

I read this last night and fell asleep thinking about working man's knuckles and "I'd like this for my wife, please." That's just so romantic. Every time I come here, I'm completely sucked in.

Petit fleur said...

I was cracking up when I had two beautiful chests bearing lovely pendants on my blogroll!

That's a hellova sweet story Maggie May. I am curious what the pendant is. I can't quite make it out (me old eyes are bad) But I do so love jewelry and I"m just as happy to read your description of it.

Have a wonderful week.
xo pf

unmitigated me said...

Sweet necklace, sweeter story. Take it to a jeweller who can check to make sure that there is a secondary mechanism if the clasp comes undone. I speak from experience.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it wonderful when someone we love knows how to love us back? You do him justice with your words.

Michele R said...

What a romantic and lovely story. It made me think of one I have and need to get out of the old jewelry box.

Shaista said...

All you need is love, (altogether now)
All you need is love, (everybody)
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

Well, that, and some Maggie May everyday. It's lovely you wear it all the time...

Phoenix said...

LOVE! Love this story...and I love the love that the two of you share.

Beautiful.

Alicia D said...

So sweet. Mr. Curry IS wonderful for sure. and i love the way you appreciate your relationship and everything he does and who he is. YOu guys are total soul mates and you are remarkable for always seeing the passion and love and not harping on the nitpicky negative stuff. Life is too short not to love and be love with all the fiber of our being. you always remind me of this!
and ps - the necklace is beautiful!
and pss - i love that you let babies stuff it in their mouths! haha!

Angie Muresan said...

What a lovely man Mr. Curry is. And how wonderful to have such love in your life.

Zip n Tizzy said...

Beautiful necklace.

Jewelry is so personal, but when it's right, it's right.

I think all jewelry should contain a story and should make you feel special and loved when worn.
(I tend to feel the same way as you described about most jewelry, but there are a couple peices... the ones the babies love too, that I hold dear.)

Laura said...

What a beautiful moment. I just love you hubby... he sounds like a wonderful person. Your necklace is beautiful. So sorry I haven't stopped by in a while. I am trying to get caught up.... It's good to be checking in on you again though.

Anonymous said...

he's a good one..glad you're alright.

Bee said...

Beautiful story. You and Mr. Curry are living the life that you are supposed to have. Really. love --

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