The Ruby Necklace

On Saturday, I went to the jeweler for Courtney’s Christmas present. By now, things were moving so quickly that I wondered if we even had a month. What does one get a wife for Christmas when she has just weeks before Heaven? I chose a ruby necklace. It was her birthstone, but it had a more important meaning.

At the jewelers, I broke down and cried, and then, of course, I had to explain to the lady why I was crying. I felt guilty, it wasn’t the nicest run-up to Christmas for that lady. I cried after Mom’s funeral, but this was my first total meltdown since before Courtney’s operation a year earlier. I knew she would probably only wear the gift two or three times, and she would call it a totally frivolous expense.

It was still the best present I ever gave her. In this book, I’ve described many things that didn’t go out in our emails. In this next email, I pulled back the curtain a wee bit. People saw Courtney as a shining example of faith, and she was. I thought they should know it was coming from a place of hurt, too. Since she wasn’t vetting emails anymore, I could get away with it.

19 December, 2021 (Sunday pm)

Dear All, 

Courtney made it to church today.  Just in case anyone doubted, I’ve included two pictures!  She’s wearing her Christmas present, a ruby necklace.  I gave it to her last night so she could wear it if she was able to make it today.

I told her it’s her Proverbs 31 necklace: Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” 

(Now you can tell this is a Justin email, not a collaboration with Courtney like usual! :) She’d make me take that last bit out.)…