MY COLLEGE RING

MY COLLEGE RING

Trying to evaluate one morning what could be my most valuable possession I ended up deciding that it was my college ring. Not because it was a 24 karat solid gold but because it was a symbol of many things.

It was the reality of my dream as it was the reminder of my sufferings, my hope and the fulfillment of my goal. It was the key that opened my chance to share a bit of myself to anyone who needed it. My ring was the effective amulet of my whole being.

I remember once during a formal conference my ring slipped out of my finger. It made a loud metallic sound on the floor as it rolled on scandalously. I tried to follow where it stopped and when I did not see it, I stood up to find out where it landed. Some of the forum participants helped to locate my ring while greatly disturbing the ongoing conference.

When I reached the height of my frustration and bitterness in not finding my precious ring a friend of mine handed it to me after keeping it until he saw me acting at my worst.

One time during a strong typhoon I wasn’t able to go home for lunch and I felt very hungry but I realized I didn’t have money, so, I
ofered my college ring to a restaurant as 'collateral' until the following day in exchange for a lunch pack.

In another thrilling event, a whirlwind wedding was to be officiated and when the priest asked the groom for his ring, I lent to him my ever helpful ring. It was also the ring I temporarily offered during my short engagement period with my wife.

Now that I have grown up children and not knowing what to offer them as a worthy remembrance, I gave my eldest son my college ring with instructions to keep it in safe so he can pass it later to his eldest son too. To my youngest son I offered my other precious ring, a lapis lazuli in gold because its powerful healthy vibrations kept me strong and vibrant for a long, long time. He was also instructed to pass it to his future son, as he was still single, to continue the family legacy to the next generation.

To my daughters I requested my wife to share with them her own valuable possession.