An Unexpected Heirloom
The suitcase must not have been opened in the last twenty-five years. We were going through my late grandmother’s belongings. Sorting the disastrous drawer of old receipts, neatly folding clothes for donations, getting sidetracked by boxes upon boxes of photographs. Under the bed, I found the costume jewelry collection that I used to play with as a child. I remember lining up all the pieces on the coffee table and how Grandmaman would place imaginary money into my tiny palm, happily adding a fifth necklace to the four she was already wearing.
I kept some of my favourites: a needlepoint brooch, a funky metal ring, a delicate string of pearls.
Tucked away in the back of the closet was a small suitcase. One of those nifty makeup cases women used to travel with in the twentieth century. The once-green fabric was now a faded yellow and frayed at the edges. The brass handle and clasp were worn and could use a good polishing. My mom recognized it as belonging to Tante Jeanne. My great-great aunt. I never met the woman, but her name had always been a presence in my life. My aunts and uncles remembered her fondly and she became synonymous with classic family stories.
It was like finding a treasure chest. Inside the case were embroidered handkerchiefs, a tiny bottle of eau de toilette, and the most charming little necklace I had ever seen. Hanging from a gold chain was a tiny gold dragonfly with hand-painted wings the colour of mauve. I instantly fell in love. It had a subtle elegance that called out to my inner fairy. There were no objections from the other ladies in the room that I should be the one to claim it as my own.
Ten years later, this previous treasure is still my favourite possession. I wear it on special occasions and not-so-special occasions as well. Whether I’m in jeans and a t-shirt or a floral-print dress, you can count on it being close to my heart.
The bank teller paid me a compliment the other day, as many people tend to do when I wear it in public. I always smile and thank them most sincerely, but I hardly ever divulge the story behind it.
That this dragonfly had been lost. Packed away and forgotten for a quarter of a century before it was reborn. It might not have held any sentimental value with its previous owner, but to me? To me, I had unearthed an unexpected heirloom. Although I never knew Tante Jeanne personally, I feel her presence whenever I wear the dragonfly around my neck. It carries with me the spirits of all the strong women in my family – past and present.
I wear it with pride.
