4-29-10                 3:30am

I ordered Malan Breton’s La clé de mon Coeur (The Key to My Heart) necklace a few weeks ago. I wrote this reflection when I opened it on Sunday and sent it to him.

Dear Malan,

My necklace came today. It’s very arrival brightened my day. Opening it was savory, like a chocolate-dipped strawberry. I took pictures along the way. It reminded me of the excitement of opening my Tiffany bracelet. I hope that’s not offensive.

I stared at the envelope for awhile. I love how the label is handwritten in beautiful script, just for me. Like Charlie opening the Wonka Bar and finding the last golden ticket, I peered cautiously inside. Such a simple box with a straight label. Perfection. I can’t quite tell if the point of the M ends just in line with its legs or below. It intrigues me. I’m so glad I decided to buy this necklace.

I watched it for awhile, muted the tv to appreciate its beauty. The way the curved part is rounded on top and flat near you, the shine, how it felt in my hand. So dainty. When I put it on, I felt special.

Everything has a meaning. Putting on this necklace is not just putting on a necklace. It sits at the perfect spot. Not too heavy. Just enough weight to remind me I’m wearing something beautiful. And that I’m beautiful even when I don’t believe it. The chain sparkles when it catches the light. This key reminds me there still is hope, that there’s still a part of me that sees past this, that still believes. There’s a little of your spirit in the key helping me. Thanks…

It was later followed by this.

The necklace reminds me today that I have something special that no one else has, that I too am a key. There are things only I can open and without me those treasures are forever locked away. It’s like magic. Makes me want to discover what they are.

Every day I seem to learn more. I’ll forget it’s there and am pleasantly reminded in the mirror. I shared my thoughts about it in a group on Monday and they appreciated it. I felt awful the other night and remember thinking I should take it off, that I don’t deserve to wear it. And I stopped myself because I knew that if I took it off for that reason that I wouldn’t put it back on.

It’s not often I find hope in a piece of jewelry, but there are certain pieces that define specific times in my life. My star earrings, my aquamarine ring, the engagement band I bought when I tested negative for HD, the necklace that matches Sarah’s. Eventually the meanings fade and they find their way to my jewelry box. But for now, it’s La clé de mon Coeur. A reminder that I’m worth it, to believe when no one else does, and that it really will be okay. Thanks, Malan.

If you’d like your own La clé de mon Coeur you can buy it at http://malanbreton.com/coeur.html. It is a limited edition item and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Care & Share India.

The Key to My Heart - Image from http://malanbreton.com/coeur.html