A locket.
Perhaps the most intimate thing that you can wear. Inside holds a moment- a captured memory of a loved one that you wear close to your heart to remember what you have, how you have grown. Grainy photographs of lovebirds forever locked away with the click of the clasp.
I've always had an affinity for lockets. Something you wear that has a deeper meaning. A hidden secret that is precious to only you. I have had three memorable lockets in my life.
The first was given to me by my names sake, Coco. Tiny, golden, and very delicate. A treasure because of the giver and for the moment in my life that represents. That locket will forever hold her picture. Coco was known for her legacy of love; her unconditional acceptance of all those she met. Her grace. She will always be with and I feel her love continually surrounding me. My mom has always said that "A heart is not measured by how much you love, but how much you are loved by others," and Coco was so loved.
I received the second while I was far away from family terribly homesick and tired. It came with a letter tied in green lace from my Momma. "My Dearest Daughter, My Own Cora. I love you always my precious Cora Noelle, Coco Birdy, Sweet Daughter and Darling of Mine." As I read the letter, so far from home, I clutched to my heart a locket containing Helge Knudsen Hogan. Helge was incredible. Her faith-- even amidst the most dire of times including the loss of multiple children-- astounds me. As my Mother wrote "As you bear this locket, think upon those who have gone before you, especially Helge. Think of her devotion to her husband and her love for her family. She was willing so sacrifice everything, her very life if need be, for her family." I bear the locket holding Helge's picture alongside my own knowing the significance it holds.
And this, the third. A necklace that truly has no connection to me. During WWII sweetheart jewelry, including lockets, became increasingly popular. Jewelry that showed not only patriotism, but a certain amount of devotion and promise. When I saw this locket, with a broken clasp and fading pictures, my heart leapt. Though I have no connection to the couple my heart ached for them. Who were they? The locket says USN. United States Navy. Perhaps a locket given with a promise to return home? The promise not to forget? The promise that the wearer was someone to come home to?
Though no connection of mine I wear this couple's locket so they will not be forgotten. I wear it and think of the love they must have shared hoping that someday I will have a sweetheart locket of my own.
He gave you his picture in a locket
That you wore around your neck
Left it right beside your heart
So you would not forget
The way it felt when he held your hand
And you swore that you would never take it off
And the butterflies you felt said it all
You were falling for the boy inside your locket
That you wore around your neck
Left it right beside your heart
So you would not forget
The way it felt when he held your hand
And you swore that you would never take it off
And the butterflies you felt said it all
You were falling for the boy inside your locket
Back in forty three, the brown-eyed boy went overseas
And had to leave town for a little while
He swore he’d marry you
As soon as the war was through
You would be his wife
Standing in the pouring rain
You cried as you watched him ride away
And had to leave town for a little while
He swore he’d marry you
As soon as the war was through
You would be his wife
Standing in the pouring rain
You cried as you watched him ride away
Sweater: Thrifted, $4
Knit Skirt: Thrifted, 80's Vintage $4
Shoes: Thrifted, B.A.I.T $6
Hat: Local Vintage Shop $7.50
Purse: Thrifted, Vintage $3
Locket: Ebay, Vintage USN locket $12
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