Gift for a B.A.

Gift for a B.A.

Back in the late 1950’s, when I was just out of college, I attended a large wedding for one of my cousins. While waiting on a long reception line after the ceremony, I began a conversation with a middle-aged lady wearing a black lace dress, which ended in mid-calf. A small white collar and cuffs relieved the starkness of her attire, as did a string of pearls. She had matching pearl earrings clipped to her ears and a veiled, black pill-box hat rested comfortably on her white hair.

This lady, Miss Helen T. Smith, was my mother’s first cousin and was a waling genealogical had book of our relatives. As she did with all of us, she addressed me as “Cousin Lois” and asked me what I had been doing with myself since I had first met her the previous summer.

“I’ve graduated from college, Cousin Helen”, I politely replied.

She excitedly exclaimed, “Oh how wonderful! I don’t know many women who have gone to college! What did you study?”

I then described my courses and activities and soon we reached the wedding party where we made our greetings and then drifted apart to speak with the other guests scattered about the country club room.

The next day at home I answered the phone and discovered Cousin Helen on the line.

“Cousin Lois, I’m here at Tiffany’s and I wanted to get you something for your graduation…”

Naturally, I was thrilled at the expectation of a gift from Tiffany’s, but I demurred and interrupted her with, “Oh, Cousin Helen, you really shouldn’t…”

But she persisted and continued with, “…I’ve bought you a gold thimble. Do you know your thimble size?”

Taken back a bit - what was I do do with a thimble? I’d never done much sewing… “No, I really don’t know my size, but what a thoughtful gift….”

“Well,” Cousin Helen continued, they have only one gold thimble so I’m sending it out and if it fits send it back and they’ll have it engraved. If not bring it back to the store and they’ll size your finger and order one for you.”

Days later UPS came and left that impressive blue box with the thimble and it did fit! I have it engraved - H.T.S. to L.B.K. and I treasure it to this day as my best graduation present

Epilogue

About 35 years later, my home was struck by lightening and the roof caught fire, destroying most of the attic. My sewing box, containing the wondrous thimble, was where the fire was most severe. Days later, I ventured into that ash-filled room to search for the thimble. I knew exactly where it should be and rummaged through the burnt debris clad in rubber boots, jeans, an old shirt and rubber gloves. At last I spotted the small, burnt, red-leather sewing kit, unzipped it and found the thimble. Again, I can use my precious gift and remember the by-gone days when sewing was a gracious pursuit and a gift for a B.A. recipient.

Lois Learned
Southbury, CT © 2014

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