why i love turquoise

My favorite color is turquoise. Not blue. Turquoise.

When D and I had been married only a month, he spent way too much on a beautiful turquoise bracelet and earring set. It was Valentine's and D had searched for the perfect jewelry. He brought his find home and stashed it well - too well. Weeks later, D realized he couldn't find the gift.

So, he did what any frantic new husband would do.

He bought another.

Months later, he found the treasure and returned it. All was not lost. To this day, it is one of my most favorite pieces of jewelry. Partly because it was a romantic sweet gift, but also partly because of the turquoise.

The real reason I love turquoise? It reminds me of my grandma. When I was little, I sat right next to her at church every week. Grandma would tickle my back and I would look at her jewelry. One of my favorites was a diamond tennis bracelet. The number never changed, two rows of fifty, but I would still count them every week. Then, I would search for the diamond that had been replaced - always shinier than the rest. More often than not, Grandma wore turquoise.

Grandma has always been one of my favorite people. When I was little, she would invite me for slumber parties and we would listen to the birds outside in the early morning. When we stayed at the condo, I woke her up even earlier to stand on the deck and watch hot air balloons.

Everybody loves Grandma's house. It's full of good food and happy people. I understand why someone would go over the river and through the woods to get there. For the rest of my life, birds, hot air balloons, and turquoise will always remind me of Grandma.

Happy Birthday Grandma!