A story about a Pearl.

This past Saturday we had our annual King family summer
party. We do the usual... park, bbq, games, & my favorite... crafts!!!


In my family on my Dad's side I have 18 cousins that are my age, alone
(kay I might be exaggerating) but my point is I have a lot. Seeing as how 
my Grandparents had 7 kids, I was blessed with lots of Aunts & Uncles...
which then gives me lots cousins.


I have noticed as each year passes, everyone is getting older, growing up,
starting lives of their own, & having kids. Our family continues to grow, and 
not in just those aspects that I have listed. I, particularly, have noticed my 
Grandparents getting older, more tired, not feeling well because of the heat, 
and not as active.


In the world today I feel like divorce is so strong and common. I'm here to
say that I don't believe in divorce because of my Grandparents and their
example to me. I am not married yet, but some day I will have an eternal
companionship like how they do. 


During my family party, I noticed my Grandma had disappeared. My heart
sunk a little and I was worried. The party was coming to a close and my
Grandma was no where to be found. As I was getting more and more concerned,
I looked to my Dad to find her but he was MIA too!!


I turned towards the parking lot of the park and noticed my Dad's truck still there,
and my Grandparents car still there too. Then I saw my Dad standing by my
Grandparents car. I ran over there to see what he was doing and noticed my
Grandma sitting inside the car. I reached in through the window and grabbed
my Grandma's hand and asked her if she was okay. She told me she gets weak
and dizzy if she stands too long so she decided sitting in the car would be best. 


My heart aches for her, but she told me the sweetest story of a pearl that you will ever
know or hear. I often think of how amazing my Grandparents are for staying together
over 60 years... (I cannot wait to say that about my spouse & I.)


As I was holding my Grandma's hand I was looking at all her rings on her fingers
that I know have been through tough times and good. I noticed this particular ring,
mainly because I absolutely love Pearls & Opals, but this pearl was HUGE. I asked
her where she got it and she told me this story: "Years ago, your Grandpa & I 
went to Hawaii and we stopped at a shop that made jewelry just to your liking. You 
got to pick out a clam, and the clerk would take out that pearl and put it in any
ring, necklace, bracelet... etc. I told Grandpa we would only be here once in our
lives & I would really enjoy having it as a ring. When they finished my ring it came
to about $260.00. Nowadays, it would be a lot more than that, but Grandpa bought
it for me anyways. Ever since then I have gotten comments on how big the pearl is.
I didn't realize how big it was until I came back home to Utah. No one could
ever believe that it was real. I have never taken it off & I have had it for years."


It's the smallest most simple story you'll read but it touched me and brought
tears to my eyes. I had feelings of anniversary's, wedding's, true love, growing old,
having a best friend, & just pure happiness. I wanted to share this story with you, 
to whoever is reading because I will have this someday. I will have an eternal marriage
that I won't give up on, I will have cute stories that involve pearls & my husband. I 
believe in marriage. I know you have to work hard & learn to grow together to 
become one. This will be me someday. Just wait, you will see.