The Diamond Earrings

“Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing when to say it.”

– Anon

To be honest, when I first opened the box all those years ago and saw the diamond stud earrings, my first thought was, “Geez, they’re a little small.”

Of course, I didn’t say that out loud to the gift-giver — my boyfriend, John. But he must have caught a glimpse of disappointment on my face because he quickly said, “I’m sorry the diamonds are so small. I know how much you wanted diamond earrings…but that’s all I could afford.”

“I love them!” I said and threw my arms around him.

And I did love them. And I loved him. But I never wore the earrings much. I don’t know why.

That was thirty years ago. And boy, have I ever learned an awful lot about gifts — and the love behind them — since then.

That boyfriend eventually became my husband. Then he became a police officer. Then he died in the line of duty. And because of that, I was entitled to receive his pay cheque, then pension, for the rest of my life. He was only thirty-two when he died. We both were. Longevity runs in my family. I could easily live well into my nineties. Feel free to do the math.