The Ruby Necklace
My sister Friedl was only two years older than I, but I realized, looking at her that she seemed much more mature and more sophisticated than I. She already had her own season ticket for the opera and would go with her friend Irmgard to several performances during the season. It was one of those evenings when my sister, all dressed up in a beautiful gown was sitting on the window bench in our bedroom. The gown of beautiful, soft black velvet fitted down the front and neckline straight across. The back was flared at the bottom and the neckline was low and loosely draped. Friedl, with her black hair looked elegant and awesome. She told me that she asked Mama for the necklace she liked very much to wear this evening to the opera. We were discussing the opera that Friedl was going to see tonight. I really loved the music of Rigoletto. It is a beautiful, but sad and tragic opera but the music is captivating and heartrending.
It was a few days later Friedl and Mama were talking about the opera that Friedl so enjoyed. It was always interesting to me to listen to our Mama talk about different operas or ballets. She always made it so interesting and fascinating. I might not be going to see them yet, when I am a few years older I will be able to go too, but I love that type of music already. Our Mama could play this kind of music on our Grand Piano and I loved to sit nearby and listen and daydream.
When Mama entered our bedroom, she had a sweet smile on her face. In her hand she held up a most beautiful long necklace of rubies. She put it on Friedl gave her a kiss and turned her around to have a look at her beautiful daughter and smiled.
Next evening, we were enjoying dinner together having again a lively conversation about classical music and ballets and Mama was telling us about a most beautiful piece of music choreographed by Mikhail Fokine into a most enchanting and mesmerizing ballet
This story made me smile–I remember when I was 18 thinking how old my mama was when she turned forty that year–oh, if we only knew then how young that really is! Thank you, Ilona, for another wonderful story. Marcie
Ilona
What a sweet story. Yes, it made me smile to think that her daughter thought her old at forty-something. But, more than that, I was struck by what a beautiful and loving mother. She so appreciated her beautiful daughters and was so generous in making them feel special. I see Ilona passing on this generosity to her family and friends. The ability to see, really see the ones we love and give to them something so special to let them know they are loved. These stories are so precious and reveal so much of what is important in our lives. Thank you again dear Ilona for sharing these snapshots of your family life that make you who you are. Much love…..