My Beautiful Granddaughter Carly. Photo by Ryan Lagrand.
The jeweler and I huddled over his velvet-lined tray, arranging and rearranging the seven charms. “Where did you get them?” he asked.
“I’ve been collecting them for a few months. There’s a charm for each of my grandchildren. The baby’s name is Sawyer, so the saw stands for him. Ayden’s daddy died when he was two. Every time he visits, he wants to play with army men and wear his dad’s helmet, which hangs on the wall near the flag case.”
Ayden Wears His Daddy’s Helmet
The jeweler stopped fiddling with the charms and looked up at me. “Carly loves baby dolls,” I continued, “so I chose the carriage for her. Phil loves to play football. Cadence is our little drummer boy—both his parents are musicians. Jeffrey never goes anywhere without his ball cap. And Jordynne is our fashionista.”
“And the bracelet? It doesn’t look new.”
“It was my grandmother’s first, with charms for all of us. When she died, my grandpa gave it to my mother, with a charm for my daughter. As her grandchildren arrived, she added charms. Now Mom’s gone, so….” My voice trailed.
Clearing my throat, I said, “Two of my grandchildren are coming later today for a barbecue.”
“If you’d like to wait,” he said, “We can attach all these charms to the bracelet in about ten minutes.”
I thought, as I waited, about choosing the charms, reflecting on each child’s character as I made my selections. I delighted as I imagined the light tinkle of the charms as I moved, making music like my grandchildren’s laughter. Maybe, at work or at church or in the grocery store, someone would ask about the bracelet, and I’d have another chance to talk about the beautiful grandchildren who bless this season of my life.
I never considered what the kids would think.
Later that day, Carly sat on my knee and grabbed at the bracelet. “What’s that?”
“This is my Grandma Bracelet. There’s a charm on here for each of you. See this little baby carriage? I picked that one for you, because you love your dollies.”
Her brother darted over. “Which one is for me, Grandma?”
“The helmet. It’s just like your daddy’s.”
He touched the drum. “And this one?”
“That’s for cousin Cadence.”
We inventoried all seven charms, naming every cousin.
As the sun slipped low over the hills, Carly returned, pigtails bobbing as she trotted my way.
“Show me my baby carriage,” she begged, tugging at my bracelet.
I pointed to the carriage. She touched it, smiled, clambered into my lap. I sighed as she threw little arms around my neck and squeezed. I held her tight, feeling her big heart beating against mine.
That night, after our house had emptied and the laughter had stilled and we’d gathered up the stray army men, crayons, and juice boxes, I unclasped the bracelet.
Tears snuck up on me. “What’s the matter?” my husband asked, his arms steady around me.
“When I did this,” I said, shaking the braceleted wrist, “ I thought about Grandma and Mom and me and tradition.”
He mistook my tears for grief. “Missing them?” he murmured.
“No. Yes. It’s not that—“ I snuffled, breathed, found my voice again. “I didn’t expect it to mean something to the children.”
And then it struck me: God doesn’t just redeem our mistakes and hurts for good. He loads bonus good onto our joys, too.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NASB)
By Sheila Seiler Lagrand, Godspotting with Sheila
Leave a Comment
Jenn Anderson says
Ayden, in his daddy’s helmet. Long sigh… Takes my breath away. Thank you for sharing!
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Me too, Jenn. Thanks for reading.
Donna Weaver says
You touching story brought back memories of a charm bracelet my grandmother had given me when I was young. The gift of a new charm on holidays and other special occasions gave us a unique bond. Even though she died many years ago and I no longer have the bracelet, it’s amazing how quickly those memories return. I now have grandchildren of my own and maybe it’s time that I replace that long lost bracelet with a “grandma charm bracelet” of my own. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of how precious those charms can be.
Merry Christmas and God’s Peace, Donna
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Donna, I think that’s a grand idea!
Merry Christmas to you, too–and a joyous new year.
Patricia (Pollywog Creek) says
So, so precious and beautiful, Shelia, and what a perfectly delightful tradition. I’d love to have a “mimi” bracelet. And yes, God is so good to us….redeeming it all.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Patricia,
I recommend it. Really, I do! My grandmother’s charms–the ones that started it all–were little silver baby booties with our names engraved on the soles. The girls’ booties had laces in neat bows. The boys’ booties’ laces hung untied. My grandfather gave us each our charm, that year he gave my mother the bracelet, strung onto pendants for the girls, mounted on tie clips for the boys.
That pendant remains a treasure.
Southern Gal says
Such a sweet story to go along with that precious bracelet. My grandmother gave me a pearl necklace for my fifth birthday with five pearls on it. There were intentions of adding a pearl a year. It didn’t happen, but that necklace (along with my wedding ring) is the most precious piece of jewelry I own. Your grandchildren will think the same way of that bracelet that grandma wore. Thank you for sharing.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Thank you, Southern Gal. I remember those add-a-pearl necklaces. What a treasure you have.
Tina says
Thank you for your wonderful story. My mother gave me her charm bracelet a few months ago. It does not represent family per se, but it repesents every work trip she took with my deceased father. They had so much fun on those trips. Whenever I wear it I think of my parents. I plan to give it to my daughter when she is old enough to appreciate “gaga’s” memories.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
“Gaga”–that’s awesome! My grandbabies call me “Lala.”
Funny how we can wear memories right there on our wrists, hmm?
Mollianne says
My grandmother had a charm bracelet with many charms, including one for each of ther 4 grandchildren. My mother also has a charm, with one for each of her 10 grandchildren. I hope to inherit one of those someday, although I one of my own with charms for my grandchildren, as well as the charms my husband’s grandmother wore for him. It is a lovely tradition, and it certainly means a lot in my family. Thank you for sharing this lovely post.
I have a grandson whose Daddy died before he was 2. I know some parts of that path.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Mollianne,
Wow! That’s a widespread charm tradition your family has.
I’m sorry about your grandson’s daddy. It is a bittersweet path, isn’t it? Ayden was 26 months old when his father died.
Midwest Magnolia - Melissa Lewis says
Such a sweet story and how precious of God to give you such a blessed moment and new memory with this bracelet. Thank you for sharing.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Melissa,
I’m always awed by how often He hands out those blessed moments.
Paula B. says
Wonderful and timely. Missing all the women in my family who are no longer with us. Charm bracelets played a large part in my life also, and I have given them to cousins as well. For so many reasons I appreciate the messages in you post, thank you.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Paula,
We feel those losses more around Christmastime, don’t we?
Brandee Shafer says
What a wonderful message, at the end. I love how God opens our eyes…and how He can use anything, anyone, anywhere to do it.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Brandee,
Yup. This one just stunned me. So obvious, but I’d never noticed it before.
Nancy says
While reading this, I kept thinking about my name being written on Christ’s hands. Each of the charms reminds you of something very personal about each of your grandchildren, and the scars my Savior bears are very personal marks he wears on my behalf.
I think your charm bracelet is such a beautiful, tangible representation of your love for each of these dear ones in your life. And, doesn’t every La La need more opportunities to talk about her grandkids? I think you’ve just given me a terrific gift idea for the grandmas in my life.
Great seeing you here, friend!
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
Nancy,
Wow. You took my little piece about my grandbabies and the bracelet and saw something bigger there. You amaze me with your seeing.
Great to see you here, friend!
Melody Ann says
Sniffles…so beautiful and tender! I don’t have time to read {in}courage everyday, so blessed to have done so today.
Bless you as you keep on blessing others.
Sheila Lagrand says
Melody Ann,
And you blessed me, just now, with that sweet comment. Thank you!
Beth WIlliams says
What a way to share memories of loved ones!
I think all LALA’s should have a charm bracelet to remember their grandchildren, & other special events!
Great post!
Sheila Lagrand says
I’d vote for that, Beth!
Holley says
So, so beautiful!
Sheila Lagrand says
Thank you, Holley.
r.elliott says
this is so lovely…oh I am getting ready to be a grandmother….I love this idea…what a sweet way to carry the grandchildren with us…and for them to feel so loved….
Blessings to you…
Sheila Lagrand says
Blessings to you, too…you’re going to love grandmahood. 🙂
Amy Sullivan says
Shelia,
Beautifullly written. I’ve always wanted a charm bracelet for this very reason to remember and tell a story. Thanks, friend.
Sheila Lagrand says
Thanks, Amy.
Remembering and telling stories. They’re good for that 🙂
Barb Wall says
All I can say is Thank You!!! Merry Christmas—enjoy those grandbabies!!! xoxox Barb Wall
Sheila Lagrand says
Merry Christmas to you, too, Barb! And I will enjoy them.
Hazel Moon says
Such a touching story and I am so happy that the charms meant so much to your grandchildren. I believe that Jesus wears us in his hands and feet, and remembers our names and all about us.
Sheila Lagrand says
Hazel,
Sounds like you and Nancy had the same idea. 🙂
Linda says
As a “fellow grandma” I feel your words so deeply. We just spent the weekend with our seven grandchildren, and I find myself looking at them in wonder – wonder at the priceless blessing they are and the great love of the Father.
This is so touching, so beautiful, so real. Thank you for sharing it.
Sheila Lagrand says
Linda,
They do inspire wonder, don’t they? We saw six of the seven this weekend, ourselves. 🙂
Diana Trautwein says
Lovely story, Sheila – and great pictures, too. I have a charm bracelet with charms from my husband and I added charms for the grandkids, too – my daughter started that by giving me charms of the flowers for each of their birth months. But it broke and I’m behind on those charms by about 3 now! You’ve inspired me to get it out and see if it can be fixed and added to. Have a Merry Christmas – and enjoy those boys from HI!!
Sheila Lagrand says
Thanks Diana!
Flowers for each of their birth months…what a sweet idea that is! I am indeed enjoying the Hawaii contingent, and our other grandchildren too.
Merry Christmas right back atcha!
Ann Kroeker says
A lineage of love, made tangible, inviting hugs and stories.
Thank you for sharing your family with us, and your charms…and charm.
Linda Brendle says
This is a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it and your grandchildren with us.
Blessings,
Linda
Julie Sunne says
As I read this post (through my tears), the beauty of the charm bracelet tradition melted my heart. I have never been into charms, but the love expressed through such simple symbols is so powerful. I may have to consider such a tradition as I age into grandmotherhood (hopefully, not for a few more years).
You are obviously a very special grandmother. Wishing you a blessed Christmas season with those precious little ones!
Sandra Heska King says
So totally puddled here, Sheila. That it would mean something to the children means the legacy lives on. I still have a silver charm bracelet given to me by a high school boyfriend. I think it’s time to repurpose it. Love you, friend.