by Esther P. Chase

My First Grandson Charm!

It was time to add yet another charm for a charm bracelet. Elizabeth and I searched among the 14kt gold in white and yellow and sterling silver Rembrandt and Dazzler charms for charm bracelets. I was now a proud grandmother, and what better way was there to celebrate than with a piece of sterling silver baby carriage charm jewelry and a 14kt gold baby shoe charm. The coup-de-grace was Steve's "push" present to Laura. It was a 14kt white gold charm bracelet with a 14kt white gold charm. He also added to the bracelet two charms from the baby charms collection. It was a gorgeous "push" present.

I wanted to start a charms bracelet for my grandson, but I reminded myself-he has two grandmothers. Fortunately, Laura's mother said since charms bracelets and charm jewelry are our family tradition, I should have the honor of selecting charms for my grandson's first charm bracelet jewelry collection. Following tradition, this charms bracelet would be presented to his wife when he marries. Knowing how much Laura treasured Stevie's charms bracelet, I wanted to make this charms bracelet very special. I selected one of the 14kt white gold charm bracelets and added a birth certificate charm from the 14kt gold charms collection. My grandson had already been given the nickname "Bear" because he was as cuddly as a bear. I just had to add one of the bear charms to his charms bracelet.

Bear's Baptism

Before long it was time for Bear's baptism. We flew to Boston to attend the baptism and I added one of the baptism charms to his charms bracelet. When Bear was almost two years old, his parents went to the Bahamas to celebrate their fifth anniversary, and I got to baby-sit! When they returned home, Laura showed us the new charms on her charms bracelet-one of the anniversary charms and one of the Bahamas charms. I showed them Bear's charm bracelet. I had added one of the truck charms. Stevie joked that the charms bracelet would be full of charms before the child was five! He was right!

I was ecstatic when Stevie called to tell me they were pregnant again. I decided to curb my enthusiasm and wait until the baby was born to start another charms bracelet jewelry collection for the new little one. Elizabeth and David were very busy with their veterinary practice, but I did wish they would get pregnant soon. I wanted to start charms bracelets for their children!

Chapter 20 - A New Granddaughter Charm for my Charm Jewelry Collection