Warning: Bereaved People May Wear Creepy Jewelry
And no one can judge us for it
Just over a year after losing my son I had decided it was time to show my face again. Financially speaking, I desperately needed to find a J-O-B.
The job I had before was obliterated by the pandemic last year so recently, I set out in search of something new. And I found it just before Christmas of 2021.
During my interview for the position, the manager brought up the gap on my resume. I explained it as a combination of Covid and personal tragedy.
I had no intention of whipping out the death-of-my-child card. That’s a little awkward for a first meeting. Plus, a new job would be a new opportunity to not have to talk about it because new coworkers wouldn’t already know.
But then the manager asked if my tragedy was a bad breakup.
Is that really the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions tragedy? Interesting.
So, I had to tell her. She was extremely sympathetic and understanding, which I appreciated.
One day, during my first week of work she approached me and delicately reached out to touch my earring with a gentle smile as though she knew what it was.
I simply said, “These are my creepy earrings and you’ll see them a lot.”
She graciously nodded in acknowledgment.
This pair of silver teardrop earrings are designed with chambers to hold a small amount of cremains. But no one would know by looking from a distance. You can’t see the seam where they screw together unless you’re up close in proper lighting.
How did she know? I had to ask her.
She calmly replied, “I’m very intuitive. They’re beautiful, by the way.”
I also wear creepy necklaces and carry a creepy keychain pendant.
I’m the mom who just can’t let go. Not right now… maybe not ever. I feel a little braver knowing a piece of him is with me at all times.
To see what they look like, here are a few of my pieces.
Note: You can find all kinds of customizable cremation jewelry on Etsy. It’s much more affordable than purchasing from funeral home keepsake collections.
For the record, I don’t actually consider cremation jewelry to be creepy. That’s just me using humor to get through the day. But I have to consider that others may think it’s strange to wear cremains as an accessory.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on cremation keepsakes.
Do you have any that you carry with you to help you feel close to your loved one? Or do you think it’s weird?
All thoughts and comments are welcome.
For those who don’t follow me on Medium, here are some stories I’ve written on the topic of cremation keepsakes. If you read them in one-two order you’ll see that my opinions and insights have changed with time.
Beautiful! I had plans for cremation keepsakes. My problem is that I cannot open my husband’s remains. He wanted his ashes scattered with mine and no service of any kind. So, I don’t have to open them. I sense it would be my undoing. Instead, I’m wearing my wedding ring. I guess my point is that grief is as individual as a snowflake, and those in grief just as fragile. Bless you for starting this newsletter and opening a safe space to fall. ❤️
Having never been through this exact loss, I'm not sure what I'd do. But know for sure, I'll never judge someone for how they grieve. Thank you for sharing your journey over the past year. 💓.