silver cup

When my brother was born in...well, we won't say when... my grandparents sent him a silver cup with his monogram on it. As the family grew, they did the same for each of their 11 grandchildren; including me. It was a very special possession to me. Many special occasions were made more special by my fancy cup filled with milk. (Milk was not my favorite thing, but it was much more palatable in my silver cup.) The family stopped growing for a while, while the grandchildren grew up, and then it started growing again. This time, it grew great-grandchildren. Each time a new baby was born, my Grandma went into her local jewelry store to order a special silver cup, engraved with each new baby's monogram; including Trevor & Braden.

Here are a few of us from 2004, showing off our cups at a family Christmas gathering. There are many more great-grandchildren now... a total of 20. Each has a special silver cup; including Fiona.

My grandma passed away in July. I went up for the funeral, as did each one of her grandchildren. At the viewing, a lady stopped to speak with my Aunt and explained that she worked at the local jewelry store. She knew my Grandma from when she used to come in to the shop. She went on to explain that my Grandma had been in to the shop only a few months before. My Grandma proudly told her that she was expecting another great-grandchild, and needed to order another silver cup. That great-grandchild was Fiona. Fiona will never know her Grandma Ring here on earth, but she was loved by her. And I know that Fiona will treasure her cup as an heirloom and as a symbol of a legacy of love.