Charmed, I'm sure

I don't know about you, but I adore charms. I love that they're tiny objects of affection and sentimentality. The more you have, the bigger your story to tell. It's your birthday? There's a charm for you! Lost a tooth? There's one for you, too! Got your first period? Yep, young lady, there's even one for you! (My auntie Donna gave me a puffed gold heart for that one. Although I honestly didn't see the joy in commemorating such a downright inconvenient event.)
Growing up, my Mom always talked about the charm bracelets she got from her mom. She was obsessed with me finding them when she died and I got to clean out her bedroom. After a couple of long days I found them. Here they are in all their tarnished silver glory. I think one was Nana's and one was Mom's. Nana was a stewardess(ooh, how un-PC of me!) back in the day and married to a Marine. Hence all the travel-themed charms.
Nana's is the one with the hula girl and airplane.


I'm pretty sure this one was Mom's. The heart has her initials engraved on it.


There's a little suitcase charm on Mom's that when opened contains a little surprise...
How strangely wonderful!
It reminds me of the miniature eye portraits in mourning jewelry.




I think it may be Nana's eye...

In remembrance

We all know what today is. My husband and I were living in NYC on that day and we'll never forget it. We were lucky in that all our friends and family were safe, but it was horrible not being able to reach anyone and having to wait for him to walk back into Brooklyn over the Williamsburg Bridge.
We decided to commemorate the anniversary each year by being together on that day. No trips apart allowed. Rather than stew in anger, we'll celebrate love.
Cheesy, yes. But hey, the world needs more love (and peace).