April 27

I promised to tell some of the story of my family here, not just the story of the house renovation.  Today's post will tell a little family story.  

On Tuesday, April 27, for no special reason, I wore my Mamaw's pearls.  I was given a little box of a few pieces of Mamaw's jewelry after she passed away.  There are some of her clip on earrings (she never pierced her ears), a pearl necklace and bracelet, and some lapel pins.  

I took a selfie in the car and sent it to Mom, Robin and Lynn.  

"Wearing my Mamaw's pearls today. 💙"

Robin responded: "Tuesday would have been Mamaw and Papaw's anniversary.  How appropriate to wear her pearls."  

This led me to a iPhone note I made in August 2018 while I was talking to Mamaw.  She told me she got married on April 27, 1942 at age 17.  She told me she wore a light blue dress.  

She kept everything, including her wedding announcement from the Johnson City newspaper in 1942.  

The caption reads:  MRS. CARL C. WILLIAMS - Mrs. R.C. Hammett, 410 West Poplar street, announces the marriage of her daughter, Evelyn, to Private First Class Carl C. Williams on April 27, 1942.  The wedding was solemnized at the home of the Rev. Nat Campbell, Elizabethton road.  Miss Bertie Yelton and George Cox attended.  Mrs. Williams was a member of the 1941 graduating class of Science Hill High School.  Private Williams is the son of Mrs. Hop Williams, Route 5.  He is stationed in the U.S. army, Fort Benning, Ga.

It turns out, I wore her pearls randomly on what would have been her 79th wedding anniversary.  

I am so grateful for the little things I have of hers.  I am grateful for the little winks I get from her, like deciding to wear her pearls with a blue t-shirt on a random Tuesday.  💙