Gorgeous Nightmare

15th December 2011

Post

Treasures from My Brother

Stone : Coarse, charcoal, crater. The stone fits in the palm of my hand and is rough yet still soft against my skin. There are small crevices all over it, resembling pores to let moisture into its ashy skin. Picked off the shores of Iceland, its texture is unlike anything found here. I imagine it being formed from the ashes and lava of a volcano- the heat mixing with the cool Icelandic air. I will always treasure this piece of earth.

Necklace: Smooth, soft, green. The necklace was beautiful- a Christmas present from my brother halfway around the world in New Zealand. The necklace was a large pennant of a Koru stone forming into a lime green swirl design. It was held up by a straw-colored piece of string with two corresponding green beads on each side. The stone represented part of the earth in the opening of a fern frond. The design symbolized new beginnings and hope for the future. Hanging around my neck, I hold onto it throughout the day and it feels like I am carrying a piece of him with me wherever I go.

Purse: Woven, cloth, bright. The purse showed elaborate, hand-sewn designs crafted from villagers in the mountains of Thailand. It is so delicate that I store it in my drawer and use it on special occasions. The threads are every color from purple to green and they intertwine together. The craft seems so talented and difficult to me, while I can only imagine how many are made daily without trouble. I imagine that sewing these threads together is a large part of their income and support to their families. I treasure this purse for its intimate detail, hand-made design, and unique origin.

Postcards: Paper, shiny, pictures. One of the few contacts I would have with my brother is the postcards that he would send to me. They always featured animals, ranging from Kiwi birds to Australian penguins to a baby Kangaroo. The messages were always brief and without much detail, but the hand-written note and thoughtfulness went a long way.