I have tried really hard to put some distance between my emotions and not letting the day go by without being thankful for all the blessings I have in my life. My family - my boys. They spoil me. I couldn't have made it through these years without them. My friends - those sweet people who get me. I love them for that. But, mostly my faith. Faith has brought me to where I am today. Faith is what gave me strength and peace during the final days of my parents lives. Faith is what has brought me to who I am today.
Many of you know, some don't. My Mother was a Nun, yes a real life Nun. With a habit, with Rosary beads. So it's no wonder that so much of my jewelry has a religious theme. Especially to Mary, the Blessed Mother, Ave Maria, the Milagros, to the Miraculous Medals. Really, it's a tribute to my Mom. The last words we spoke was the Hail Mary before she took her last breath. It's why I'm making jewelry. It took me about a year to go through my Mom's things after she passed away. But what I found astounded me. Mom never really spoke about her days in the convent, so when I opened her jewelry box and found many Rosary beads and medals, I was shocked. It made me realize what her faith meant to her. I just knew at that very moment what I needed to do . . . I was going to carry on a little of that faith through my jewelry. Some may be offended, but the way I look at it, we could all use a little love, peace and strength from the Blessed Mother.
So as I celebrate another birthday without them, I cling to my faith, their love for me, and the knowledge that they will always be with me.
