The Charm Bracelet
I recently purchased an Italian charm bracelet. And as I was surfing through ebay looking for charms, I realized how really odd it is to try to summarize your entire life in a series of charms to wear around your wrist – on inarguably cheap jewelry. So, first, I decided that I needed to represent my family – so I found some birthstone charms -- that was easy enough. But then what? What parts of my life are so important that I would want to have a physical representation of them with me at all times. I figured my marriage. Sure having Jose’s birthstone should sort of count – but that actual relationship deserves its own charm – unless you see the marriage charms and they are a bit gaudy – so birthstone representing marriage it is. I did find a nice understated I ♥ my kids charm that I snapped up because it works for my actual kids and the kids at work. And while I’m here – let me take a quick side trip with the I ♥ issue. I find it utterly insane that people will say I “heart” my kids instead of I “love” my kids – you don’t heart anyone – heart isn’t a verb –
O.k. back to charms – Who am I – what do I believe. Anyone who knows me during an election year would tell you I needed to get the democrat donkey – but really – I’m more than a democrat – unforgivingly liberal sure – but I’m not very political – I don’t campaign for anyone – I just believe that I believe and that’s enough.
I did get myself a best teacher charm – which is egotistical – but teaching is my calling and I did win the best teacher award. And the fact that we more or less take turns on receiving that award doesn’t really count. This year I got it because Mrs. Cole – my boss – thinks I’m a good teacher – but really – I’m nothing special – I’m just helpful.
I found a charm with my name on it. And I snapped that one right up. I am a sucker for anything with my name – or the name’s of my kids on it. It’s a childhood fetish that has evolved into adulthood. For most of my fourth and fifth grade years I didn’t own a shirt that didn’t have my name on the back. I just thought that was really cool. And I was eternally freaked out when people just called me by name without knowing me. One of the reasons that I didn’t chose latino names for my sons was that I wanted to make sure that some day they would be able to find their name on a coffee cup, keychain, pencil whatever. Isaiah is a bit rare – but apparently it’s going to be a relatively popular name so those pre-printed items with his name on it are a coming – wooo hooo!
I got a soccer ball. Not because I play soccer – but Jose, being from el Salvador – loves the sport. And Elijah played soccer – and I’m sure Isaiah will as well. So I’m going to be a soccer mom –
And I got a camera. Of all of the charms I got, the camera is the one that I like the best. Because it is the one that really seems to be the most me. I love taking pictures. There are times when I would take pictures of other people and other people’s kids – except I’m afraid they would call me a stalker –
I suppose if I could find other charms (Ashlee you can consider this a shopping list if you wish) – I would get something that pertains to reading – but the charms I found are all school books – and well – that’s not what I really wanted. And I think that I wouldn’t mind some pen with parchment to denote the fake writer that I pretend to be.
But if you sit back and think about what symbols represent your life, I think you’d be a bit surprised as to how difficult it is to do. How do you summarize your life into 30 items or less – if you’ve a big wrist – you get more items – lucky you – perhaps I should shoot for a charm belt – with my waist, I have enough room for all charms ever made. Should I get the no sugar charm because I’m diabetic – or the white bread charm as that’s really what I crave more than sugar (though sugar free chocolate is really what has made white bread the issue). What about the fat girl charm – and if you’ve ever been a fat girl you know that it’s a personality type – really it is – and you skinny girls out there reading this (I’m guessing that Vickie, Stephanie (you’re famous now too), and maybe Julie – greetings to Ashlee’s friends) – you don’t really have an understanding of how carrying an extra person worth of weight can really change the person you are and how you view the world. Anyone who can say no to dessert – just say no – well they don’t see the world the same way that I do -- ooh and if you look at your butt in jeans and try to decide if it looks good instead of just caring that the damn pants cover your fat ass – well it’s really a different perspective. But that’s really a whole different blog.
Anyway, I have nine charm places left on my bracelet – and I shall be selective. I want – and it never hurts to leave some space because in a few years, I won’t be the same Amy that I am right now.
