At my graduation, my great aunt gave me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. Thinking back on this memory, it puts in perspective how the smallest gesture of love can live leave a larger than life impact on your heart.
Our principal said the magic words, “I now present to you, the South Lenoir Blue Devils graduating class of 2001.” The crowd cheered as we turned our tassels. I opted not to throw my hat but instead walked off to find my family. I pushed through the crowd avoiding silly string and crying friends.
I walked up to my mom and with a misty eyed smile, she whispered “You did it.”. I hugged her tight and told her “No mom, we did it. I love you for all that you are and all that you have done for me.” Then my grandma appeared with a huge smile. She handed me my graduation quilt (she makes one for every one of her grandchildren after they graduate) and said, “Well it’s party time!” I laughed and started doing my best hip twirl pretending that there was music playing that only the two of us could hear.
Finally, I walked over to my Great Aunt Shug. She was a very short woman with a thick frame. She wore thick glasses that covered her entire face and her hair was always wild and curly. She constantly had a mischievous look about her. I think it was because of her wild wide eyes and smirk she often wore.
She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “Diamond, I’m so proud of you. I was so excited that you invited me to see you graduate. You know, this is the first graduation that I’ve been to in years. When I got your invitation in the mail, I couldn’t believe that you thought about me and wanted me to be here.It has been years since I have seen this side of the family. I told your grandma, I don’t care if I have to drive myself from New Jersey but I was coming to see my Diamond!”
Her prideful smile then changed and her face looked resolved as if in deep thought. Then she said, “I didn’t bring you a gift but you can have this.” She showed her wrist of golden bangles, a group of bracelets that seemed to dance in the light, each one wanting to catch your attention. She chose the bangle whose sparkle gave off the light and warmth of the sun.
A waterfall of tears rushed from her eyes as she placed the shiny golden item in my palm. I wasn’t expecting anything, I didn’t even think that she would show up to my graduation. All I knew was that I loved her and wanted to share in the moment with her and the rest of my family in any way possible.
Time stood still for me, I didn’t hear the cheers from other graduates, I didn’t hear my friends talking, I didn’t see my classmates running to hug their parents. All I saw was the look of love and joy in my Aunt Shug’s face and believed that this was as big as a moment for her as it was for me. I carefully put the bracelet on my wrist and began to cry. This moment in time's forever frozen in my mind.
After graduation, weeks turned to months, seasons began to change and years rolled by. I never had the chance to see my Aunt Shug again. We both aged, and the many miles between us remained causing our communication to fail. My Great Aunt Shug passed away many years ago. The bracelet however, never aged and never changed and never let me forget
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