The jewelry pieces that I own were almost all gifts to me, mostly handcrafted. These little bits of glass, beads and sparkle, put together by an artist somewhere, are reminders of the people that love me–husband, sisters, step-kids, friends. I’m grateful not just for the gifts themselves but for what they represent, and especially on days when I feel unlovely or not up to the challenges that face me, I choose a piece of jewelry, and wear it into my day, conscious of keeping that person close to my heart and hands. These tiny portable gifts are a daily reminder that I am known and loved.