I’ve been thinking a lot about my journey lately. Past, present, and future. What things led me to this very place. Where I want to be in 10 years. If I’m content right in this moment. Those are big thoughts. It can be overwhelming thinking big picture like that, but it also can remind us of the things that made us who we are. When in this mind set I am almost always brought back to every memory I have of my grandfather.
One of my first childhood memories is walking through a giant rock quarry searching for geodes with my grandfather. He was a very impressive rock hound. His collection was outstanding, and I still to this day am aspiring to have as many rocks as he did. I’m not sure if I will ever be able to. He even found, and collected native American artifacts. The man was awesome. He took me rock collecting rain or shine. We would spend hours searching for the glisten of an agate. Those are my fondest memories. Spending time with him. When he died I think a little piece of me died with him. I was only 12, and felt (still feel) that I was robbed of so much time. I buried my love of rocks along with him.
Rocks really didn’t even resurface in my life until I was approaching my senior year of high school. I allowed myself to think of my grandfather for the first time in a while, and I thought about how much I wished he was there to see me graduate. I remembered that I still had my rock collection somewhere in my dad’s warehouse. The next few days were spent going through memory boxes in search of it. When I did find it, I spent hours going through it. I could remember finding every single one with him. It made me miss him even more. I felt particularly drawn to this little piece of geode, and I wanted to somehow wear it. On Facebook a week prior I had seen this girls work wire wrapping stones. So, I gave it a go. Before I knew it I was wearing the most cherished memory I had.
I never stopped after that. I just kept making jewelry. I moved from wire wrapping to silver smithing. Now it is my passion, and what gets me up every morning. I am genuinely happy. My only wish is that my grandfather was here. All I want to do is nerd out with him, take him to a gem fair, and make him a bolo tie. Tell him that he influenced who I am, and that I’m so thankful for everything he taught me. I believe he is with me, and I even feel him at times. Especially when I make a cool piece, or pick out new stones.
I owe him for so much, and I thank the universe every day for the time I got to spend with him. It’s important to reflect on your past, and remember how far you’ve come. The people that influence you, hurt you, and love you. It’s all a part of who you are. By acknowledging these things (even if its hard) you are paying tribute to your journey.
