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Teardrop Necklace

[left] This is a necklace which I often wear around my neck. The teardrop comes from my Grandad's wedding ring and this is the story of why...

Grandad had been seriously ill many times - usually related to a blood disorder meaning he had to receive blood transfusions more and more frequently. He had looked close to death many times but was incredibly strong and had always pulled through. Finally a phone call to me in London arrived saying he was unconscious and unlikely to last the night. I drove through the night to Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral. My parents, Uncle Ian, Aunty Lin and I stayed in his room but he could no longer react to anything. After 12 hours or so I decided to sit with him and held his hand. After a couple of minutes I saw a single tear roll down his cheek. This was the moment he died.

Part of my inheritance was his wedding ring which had worn so thin it had split years before. There was no possibility of fixing it because the metal was so thin so I had it melted down into the shape of this teardrop.

Cocktail Mixer

[right] This was the only item I took from Grandad's house when we cleared it. I love it because, like a photo I found of him playing the banjo, it is a glimpse of a life he had which I never knew, nor could I imagine. He and Eva were renowned for their neighbourhood cocktail parties!

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