Years ago I remember coming across a website that designed glass jewelry where you could also have part of your pets ashes embedded in the piece. I remember thinking that would be something I would like to do someday with Frankie.
Right after Frankie’s passing I thought about that jewelry, but it didn’t feel right. All I wanted was Frankie herself. I wondered, How could a piece of jewelry heal my aching heart?
As I perused my local farmer’s and artisan market two weeks later, I walked up to artist, Margaret Hall’s beautiful table of a rainbow of colors of her beautiful glass jewelry. We got to talking about Frankie’s passing. She also has a deep love of animals. As I was talking to her it all of a sudden hit me, Why not ask Margaret if she could design a special piece for me with Frankie’s ashes? When I told her my idea she said, “I’d love to do it and I’m so honored you asked me.”
Even though she had never designed a piece with someone’s beloved pet’s ashes she was eager and willing to get going on it. I scurried back home and carefully took some of Frankie’s remains from the center of the package of her cremains, where I felt sure that is where her heart was. I took the ashes back to Margaret and we discussed colors and design. She said she would have it done by next Saturday for me to pick up.
I met with her again the following Saturday among the hustle and bustle of our popular market. With tears in her eyes she handed me a gold box with a paw print ribbon tied around it and said, “I’m honored to present this to you.”
I was so nervous opening the box. But when I opened it I was so happy to see the perfect treasure before my eyes. I took out the bright blue piece as Margaret explained to me: “The heart shape on the top is Frankie (her ashes) which represents heaven. Below is earth. The two “arms” extending down and back up are connecting you to Frankie and Frankie to you… always.”
She turned it over and on the back was a silver heart so our hearts would also be connected, as well as Frankie’s name written on the back.
I didn’t know what to say. The thought and love that went into this piece was just beyond words. She then handed me another gold box and said, “This is for the top of Frankie’s cremains box.” Inside was another gem with some of Frankie’s ashes.
Now I really didn’t know what to say. I was so very touched. I could barely whisper, “What do I owe you?”
“Nothing. This is my gift to you. I was so honored you asked me to do this.”
There are times in life where you feel like an angel has just appeared and graced you with the sweetest of kindness, and that is how I felt with Margaret’s amazing gifts to me. I hugged her tight and thanked her.
When I got home I placed my Frankie necklace around my neck. For me, it felt like Frankie was home— safe in my heart again. It may sound odd, but this necklace has brought me a great deal of comfort and it’s like having Frankie with me. Though I know nothing could ever take away our bond and our deep connection, having something visible to touch, feel and hold onto when those unexpected moments come has helped me greatly.
As I visited with Margaret again this past Saturday and had our picture taken together so I could share on my blog, she overheard someone talking about Frankie’s house at Bookworm Gardens. She said, “I want to make another piece for Frankie’s house at Bookworm Gardens.”
“What a wonderful idea, Margaret!” I said. “But this time I insist on paying for it.”
She smiled and said, “Well, okay, but only at cost.”
I’ve had many angels in my life and I’ve learned that one must accept gracefully when those angels appear… and then pass on that grace in our own unique, and special way.
Stay tuned as I’ll share Frankie’s special gem piece on her doghouse at Bookworm Gardens in the next few weeks.
If you are interested in having a jewelry piece designed by Margaret she can be reached at 504-473-5642 or email her at marghall1 (at) earthlink (dot) net.