Walking in Circles Here...Um, Hello?

I know the passing of a parent brings all kinds of issues.  I get that.

I am sitting here in wonder of what just happened.

I know I should keep this to myself and Pooldad - it is personal, but I am really incredulous.

Loss for words kind of thing [natch-you know I lie - I am talking here Tadpoles. Follow along if you care to, but I write this blog for me - and my rules.]

My sister called this evening.  She is the executor of our Mother's estate.  I have no problem with that. My sister is the oldest, an accountant and more knowledgeable then I will ever be in these details. She is also able to kick my brother's butt and not get put in jail for it. [Me?  I would spit on the s.o.b. and get more time than Lindsay Lohan.]

I leave all details to her.

We have talked so many times since our Mom's passing and have discussed the Will.  The things you do when a parent dies.  Right?

Okay - now I have to back up and tell another story.  Ready?  Following me?  Ride along...it is really pretty good.  Well, at least I think so.  Then again? Half the time I think I am talking to myself.  Whatever.

My parents were married 50 years ago in Florida after a 4 month courtship [no kidding] and my Dad bought my Mom what he could afford at that time for her wedding set.  My Mom always called the two rings the "Chips" because it was a bunch of diamond chips in a setting that was made to set them off.  She was always kind of derogatory about it [outside of Dad's hearing] but I loved those rings.  They meant something to me. They were beautiful and they represented what my parents had.  My Mom never wore them, but would take them out once and a while to show me.  I thought they were the epitome of what every girl wanted when they were married.  So beautiful.  So elegant.

I love/d those rings.

My Mom always asked my Dad to receive a prettier wedding set.  She always wanted a big diamond.  I have already explained how my parents claimed poverty for[ever] years and so the idea of a big diamond seemed to be out of the question.  Right?

Wrong.

My Dad surprised my Mom with a platinum set x.x carat diamond ring for their 40th wedding anniversary.

This ring was spectacular.  Dad researched.  Bought the best and lovingly presented it to my Mom.  There were a lot of tears, applause, kudos and admiration over the fact that he bought those rings.  I can't explain my parents in three or four blog posts - nor do I want to - but let's just say Dad did good and Mom was thrilled.  So were us kids.

Still there?  Because here is where it gets weird, but then better.

My Mom called me last year and asked me to sell that ring.  I didn't ask why.  I hemmed, hawed and hung up the phone to avoid doing that.  She WAS NOT selling that ring  At least not on my watch.  My Dad waited 40 years to buy her that ring and I would've been damned if I was going to be a party to the trainwreck that the selling of that ring would've been.  If nothing else it was a heirloom and my sister was entitled to it.

My sister informed me tonight that the ring never was sold.

Imagine my surprise when she told me that our Mom left Squirrel the "Chips". [Nice Nana. Thank you.]

Now picture me as I fell off my chair when my sister told me our Mom left that ring to me...

I get to wear my Dad's love for my Mom on my hand for the rest of my days.

How great is that?