My grandmother gave me a pearl necklace. It took her, like, 25 years to give it to me, because she gave me one pearl at a time. That was the old tradition – the way that families could afford nice things. So when I was little, every Christmas and birthday I’d get one pearl, and she’d add it to my string. When I was eight, I had eight pearls on a string. I remember being like, ‘Why another pearl every holiday?’ – an ungrateful kid, basically who never even wanted a pearl necklace. But by the time I got the complete strand and had a moment to reflect on it, I was like, Wow. It took her years to give me that gift. It was so beautiful and powerful, something that I was completely not grateful for, all those years, and then amazed by her persistence. In my twenties, my apartment on Elizabeth Street got broken into; the necklace was stolen. But I have it in my mind, in my heart, so it’s fine – I got the gift.
Rachel Comey – American independent fashion designer.
I love this story – for the grandma’s desire that her granddaughter have something special and her patience with one pearl at a time. I understand Rachel’s youthful cluelessness but eventual understanding with maturity. Most of all I appreciate the power of letting go, which opens up space to see the true meaning behind giving.
Let’s hope we all “get the gift” this holiday season.
OverDressed for Life 