After the tragic death of her mother, Lydia experienced severe despair. She had nothing to to remember her by when her rock and the most significant person in her life passed away.
Lydia later discovered her mother's old ring, however. When Lydia began wearing the ring, her late mother told her that it was a ring with many tales, and Lydia instantly felt bonded to her.
Without being aware of the ring's true history, Lydia wears it for 25 years. She wouldn't learn the truth until she made an arbitrary trip to the neighborhood jeweler…
A Damaged Ring
Lydia staggered into the neighborhood jewelry store holding a broken ring in her hand and tears welling up in her eyes. Nobody else was around, but the person working behind the counter saw something wasn't right right away.
Attempting to repair it
Lydia pleaded with the worker to be allowed to mend her mother's priceless ring as she described how it had shattered. However, the worker seemed to have a sense of familiarity in his eyes as he intently examined the ring rather than considering the restoration. Then he realized…
Lydia found it hard to believe
When he told Lydia where he had seen this ring previously, she was taken aback. How did they manage that? How long had her mother been lying to her? There are so many uncertainties and concerns...
However, some context is needed to make sense of Lydia's attitude.
Get to know Lydia
Lydia and John have recently tied the knot. They have a normal existence, but they aren't exactly flush with cash. Together, they can make ends meet, but only with a fair amount of effort. And Lydia has faced other significant challenges than this one.
The only parent Lydia knew was her mother
Lydia has endured many trials. Because she and her mother Sara had to do everything together as an only child, they developed a close bond. The absence of Lydia's father had a profound impact on her development as a child.
Never got to know her dad
Never mind that she was his actual daughter, Lydia had never even met her biological father. When he learned that Sara, her mother, was pregnant, he abruptly departed. Since he and Sara were dating but not married, he could easily abandon his family. For this, Lydia never forgave him.
Both of them put forth a lot of effort
To Lydia, her whole upbringing was a fight that she and her mother had to win. Her mother worked two jobs while Lydia was in school so that the family could afford to live comfortably, and when she was old enough, Lydia found employment to occupy the time she had available during the week.
They have a wonderful connection
Even though they had to fight for one other every day, the couple appeared to be able to make their relationship work. All they had was one other, and that isolation forged an unbreakable connection between them. There was no urgency for Sara to start dating again. There was no way she could spare the time anyhow.
The Time Lydia Conferred with John
Despite her busy schedule, Lydia managed to squeeze in some romance. On the workplace is when she met her future husband, John, and the two soon hit it off. They had only been dating for a few short weeks, yet their future was already mapped out in meticulous detail. There was, however, a major challenge for them together…
Planning to leave home soon and saving money
Both Lydia and Sara were diligently putting up cash. All of this preparation was made so that Lydia would be able to leave the home whenever she was ready to do so. Sara's main wish was to provide her son with a wonderful upbringing. Then, though, the unimaginable occurred…
Sara became very ill
By the time Lydia was 24 years old, Sara had taken ill abruptly. Sara's health deteriorated rapidly, and doctors had a hard time pinpointing the root of her illness. Every aspect of their life seemed to be collapsing. Lydia and Sara spent their whole life savings on her medical care. But alas, it didn't seem to make any difference.
There's no way you'll survive
Sara's prognosis was grim after just a short time. The physicians were unable to diagnose Sara's illness, so they could only alleviate her discomfort by relieving her symptoms. When Lydia had to say goodbye to her mom and her closest friend, it was a difficult time for all of them.
Lydia was 25 years old when Sara died
For Lydia, this was a very trying time. Being the only kid in a seemingly uncaring household, she was responsible for a great deal. Sara had cut ties with her relatives since she believed they had abandoned her through her tough times.
To a great extent, John was helpful
It was a marvel that Lydia did not collapse beneath the burden of all that rested on her shoulders. She made it through mostly because to the support of her boyfriend, John. He was there for her through it all, and that just bonded them closer.
The funeral was planned by Lydia
There were many responsibilities to be fulfilled after her mother's death. Arrangements for the funeral came first. A small group of people gathered for a solemn farewell. An open coffin during the funeral caused Sara's sister to say something shocking.
The ring that belonged to Sara was gone
Sara's ring was missing, and her sister immediately took note. In the midst of all that had been going on, Lydia had completely forgotten about this. Unfortunately, at this point, further investigation proved pointless. It didn't seem like a big deal when put into perspective. How incorrect Lydia would be about this, she couldn't have known.
Indeed, it was a fitting farewell
Although it was a difficult process, Lydia was able to bid her mother farewell with peace and closure. Although she was still upset, she was beginning to accept the situation. Still, she wasn't ready for what was coming next…
The Bequest
The inheritance was the next significant issue that needed to be addressed once the funeral arrangements were finalized. In her will, Sara gave Lydia her whole modest estate. And there was something specific Lydia was hoping to track out.
It was important to Lydia to locate the ring
She still thought about the burial and the remark made regarding her mother's ring. Since then, Lydia had been obsessed with tracking it down, since it had the greatest emotional significance for her. Sara wore it on a daily basis. On the other hand, the process of discovery itself was becoming more of a nuisance than a boon.
There was no money in Lydia's mother's household
Sara leased rather than owned her home. To top it all off, she had hardly any savings. That's a lot less than poor Lydia had hoped for. Lydia had already spent all of Sara's money on her move out and necessary medical care in her last weeks.
Retrieving her mother's ring, she felt a sense of discovery
Furniture and clothes that were left in the residence were donated to thrift shops. The majority of it was superfluous to Lydia's needs. There were a few emotional objects that Lydia ultimately decided to preserve. She continued hunting for the ring frantically. At long last, she located it.
That ring told a tale
Lydia sensed that there was history behind this ring. Her mother had informed her since she was a tiny kid that she had stolen it. Sara apparently started working as a home cleaner when she was just twelve years old. It gave her a little income that helped keep her family afloat.
Difficult to work for
Sara found that the majority of the people she did housekeeping for were kind people who made her feel welcome. One of the ladies at work was very unpleasant and cruel to Sara for no apparent reason. As well as through her utterances…
Mistreating Sara
When Sara did anything that she didn't like, she would strike her. The situation persisted for a few months since Sara was unable to leave at the time. She needed the money and there were no other residences she could work at. Sara, however, began to show the effects of this therapy.
Jewelry shoplifting
Nonetheless, Sara was always on the lookout for new cleaning jobs. When Sara found another home to clean, she departed her previous one hastily, but not before taking a ring she discovered on her last day of work. Taking this action was her method of exacting some kind of vengeance.
To what extent was it accurate?
As a child, Lydia read this tale and believed it to be true. She now saw her mom as a fearless, strong person, just as she had always known she was. It was the kind of success story she aspired to emulate. On the other hand, Lydia would learn that this was just part of the tale.
From now on, Lydia is the proud owner of the ring
Sara had always worn the ring with pride since it is a symbol of the day she stood up for herself; now her daughter, Lydia, would do the same. Practically everything else she had hidden from Sara was eventually lost to the depths of drawers and the back of the shed, or was sold.
An unusual tale
Lydia enjoyed hearing the tale of the ring, but she always found it hard to believe. More so when she gave it more thought. Never in her daughter's mind did her mother act dishonestly or steal anything. There was obviously a discrepancy.
Ignoring the issue
Of all, Lydia had only ever known Sara in her motherly capacity, so the idea that she may have been quite different before she became a mother was not so outlandish. Not wanting to overthink things, Lydia made the decision to ignore the issue. The truth, however, would eventually be disclosed to Lydia in an unexpected manner.
A bond formed between Lydia and John
The time had come for Lydia to move on. She was fortunate to still have John. Although the best months of their relationship were at the hardest period for Lydia, they stayed together and became closer as a result of her hardships. As close as a brother or sister…
Their first kid was born
Sammy was the couple's first child, born a little over a year after Sara died. Lydia quickly realized that having a child was the healthiest way to deal with the void left by her mother's absence. Her pre-pregnancy endeavors were much less nutritious.
Lydia started drinking
Lydia's drinking had begun in the months after her mother's death. Because it seemed like the only way she could temporarily escape her own thoughts, the situation was rapidly escalating into a major issue. For a time, John was quite concerned about what was happening.
Put an end to it
However, having a child ended up being a boon in more ways than one. When Lydia found out she was expecting, she instantly gave up drinking from the bottle. However, she needed to find a fresh release to tide her over.
It was tough to stop
When feelings of melancholy overcame Lydia, she would often go for a drink. She would be sad now even if it had nothing to do with her mother's death. Her inability to do so, along with the rising levels of hormones she was experiencing throughout pregnancy, left her a total mess for many long months.
Her outlook improved
Lydia's life up until this point had not been easy, but these months were among the most challenging of her whole existence. In any case, with the arrival of their first child, the couple's fortunes began to turn around. As Lydia was able to devote herself fully to parenting Sammy, she felt less and less of a pull toward alcohol.
Exercise sessions began
To curb her booze habit, Lydia began to work out more often. As something she had tremendous pleasure in performing, she anticipated only positive outcomes. That's right; at first it seemed to work. Lydia realized the value of improving her health. However, Lydia would experience an unanticipated side effect from her exercise routine in the long run…
It seemed like the family as a whole was doing OK
In the years that followed, the family's standard of living improved. Sammy was developing normally, and Lydia and John were finally able to afford to be married, all while remaining deeply in love with one another. But, like with everything else in Lydia's life, a major roadblock was about to materialize…
Going Abroad
Sammy had finally reached adulthood and was prepared to leave home. What was about to happen was what Lydia feared would happen. For years, she had dedicated her life to taking care of Sammy, and the prospect of abandoning that role filled her with dread.
During that time, Lydia went for a run
That afternoon, Lydia went for a jog to get some exercise and clear her head. She was physically able for her age since she did this often. She was so happy with her life today in comparison to her alcoholic past. But she had her head in the clouds and wasn't seeing where she was going…
A slip caused her to fall
A limb had broken from a tree and was lying in the middle of the trail, and Lydia stumbled over it. A brief second of quick thinking allowed Lydia to protect her fragile self by placing her palm in front of her face as she fell. When Lydia made an effort to stand, however, she saw something that sent a shudder of anguish through her whole being…
The ring her mom had worn broke
A ring that belonged to her mother. Something had broken! Even after 25 years, the ring was still on her finger, albeit it was no longer a whole. Lydia's eyes started to water up, and she made up her mind to get home immediately.
John suggested that she see a jeweler
She figured John could repair it, as he had every other malfunctioning appliance in the home. John, though, was not prepared to take a chance on something so important to Lydia. He recommended that she get it fixed at a jeweler’s.
They'll be able to repair it
Soon later, Lydia left on her trip. The trip into town was quick, and she knew the jewelry shop could restore the ring at a reasonable price since she'd phoned beforehand. However, Lydia was unprepared for the jeweler's verdict once he examined the ring.
The only jeweler in town
They were locals to a little town, and that's where you'd find Lydia and John. Lydia and her mother had spent their whole lives in the same town, and it was there that Lydia first met John. Only one jeweler had ever done business there, and he or she had been there for as long as Lydia could remember. But now Lydia understood why she'd never visited the shop before…
There was no way for Lydia to enter
When Lydia was a little girl, her mother strictly forbade her from entering the jewelry store. As a youngster, Lydia had always wondered why, but she never bothered to ask. Never having enough money to make a trip to the supermarket, she never felt the need to.
This ring wasn't new to him
When Lydia walked inside the jewelry shop, she found that she was the only client there. She then handed the ring to the staff member and described what had occurred. The sight of the ring caused him to arch an eyebrow, and he exclaimed that he had seen something similar to it previously but could not remember where.
What he learned about it was from Lydia
Lydia explained to him both her own and her mother's purported routes of transmission. The jeweler cut her off as she tried to explain that her mother had stolen the ring from her employer when she was quite young. After hearing his reasoning, Lydia's mouth fell.
That just isn't possible
Supposedly, her mother had taken the ring in 1952. However, the methods utilized to create this ring were not implemented until after 1968. There was no earlier time frame in which this ring could have been made. The news that Lydia was hearing floored her.
It Dawned on Him all of a sudden
The jeweler continued to elaborate on the ring, giving Lydia additional reasons why it was impossible for the band to have been made during that time period. Then the employee of the jewelry shop had an epiphany midway through his tale and abruptly stopped talking. Suddenly, his eyes widened and he hurried off to investigate.
He pulled up a dusty catalog
After hastily retreating to the rear, he emerged with a thin, ancient tome. The publication was a catalog of the goods available at the shop. To be fair, however, this was a catalog from 1968. After scanning a few pages, he handed the book to Lydia. What she was witnessing on its pages made her gasp in disbelief.
This was her mother's ring
The ring belonged to her mother. Yes, but how? The jeweler proudly said that this was how he recognized the ring. Their shop had made this same model, but it had long since passed its expiration date. While he was in the store's storage area, he uncovered a startling find among the store's old records.
Stolen here 50 years ago!
In 1969, a ring identical to this one was taken from their shop. The serial number on the ring matched, so he knew it was the same one. After hearing what she had, Lydia was shocked. Is it true that her mom shoplifted the ring from here? If so, why? Then it hit her, and she understood…
It has to have been her mother who did it
The year 1969 marks her birth year. Her mother had been struggling financially even before her father abandoned the family. That woman must have been so desperate that she began stealing. Sara probably helped Lydia out. The sales associate, though, had one last comment. The previous communication had been the first positive one in this exchange.
Jeweler gives her the ring back with no questions asked
Lydia may retain the ring if she wanted to. His efforts to report the incident would be futile since it occurred so long ago. But even if they did, he still wouldn't steal her ring. In his estimation, the item's emotional significance to Lydia much outweighs its monetary value to him.
Many things that Lydia is unaware of
The jeweler was in a position to make that decision for Lydia, since the shop was now legally his. He even made a gratuitous offer to fix the ring and bring it back to its former glory. The happiness that Lydia feels is overwhelming. But she still had to wonder what else her mom had been stealing. And what more hidden truths she did not know.
She had no doubt that her mother cherished her
There will always be things about her mother that she wouldn't understand, and she had to accept that. But she also knew, and had always known, that her mother would do anything for her. And that fact alone elevated the significance of the ring in her eyes.
The events of this story are entirely fictional and are products of the author’s imagination. Images included are meant for illustration purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.