What’s your most cherished possession and why?
Welcome to the #CHERISHED Blogfest!
Hosted by:
Damyanti – Daily (w)rite / Dan Antion – No Facilities / Paul Ruddock – Echoes of the Pen
Peter Nena – Demogorgon’s Fiction / Sharukh Bamboat – India DestinationsTheir directive:
For the CHERISHED Blogfest, we invite you to talk to us about one of your cherished objects.
Tell us what it is, post a picture of it if you like, and tell us why you cherish it.
[in under 500 words]
The #CHERISHED #Blogfest. What's your most prized possession and why? #dogladysden Share on X
Have you ever realized a life-long dream?
This was my good fortune two years ago, when Hubby and I embarked on a two-week tour of Greece, in celebration of our 40th anniversary. I could hardly believe it and was at times, speechless! Ancient History is one of my biggest passions and I had yearned to visit Greece since childhood but thought it would never happen. Hubby convinced me otherwise and I’ll be forever grateful!
One of the first things I noticed about Greece was the plethora of jewellery stores, everywhere we went, (91 on the island of Mykonos, alone). Beautifully crafted workmanship, much of it in gold, ranging from 14 to 24 karats. Personally, I love the look of yellow gold!
Ancient Greece had a rich history with gold, using it both as money and architectural decoration. The Parthenon in Athens also employed gold. Standing inside its sanctuary was a statue of the goddess Athena, almost 12 metres (40 feet) high, covered in gold and ivory – gold for her clothing, ivory for her flesh. It was removed by the Romans in the 5th century BC.
These gold artifacts were discovered in the ruins at Delphi:
This is somewhat ironic, given the current, sad state of the Greek economy. Read more about that, HERE.
When we visited the Island of Hydra, a striking gold ring caught my eye, but the price was prohibitive. The shopkeepers expect you to haggle with them and hubby, an Italian of Greek ancestry, is pretty good at that. The result? I now have a precious souvenir of Greece to call my own for half the listed price! It’s a replica of the legendary Phaistos Disc.
Not only is it beautiful, but what makes it even more special is that hubby spotted it before I did, knew I would love it and was determined to get it. Whenever I wear this, the memories of our spectacular journey come flooding back, with a reminder to “Never Say Never” when it comes to a dream.
It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
48 thoughts on “THE #CHERISHED #BLOGFEST: PRECIOUS SOUVENIR”
WOW, that is gorgeous. Great souvenir! Lucky you to visit Greece and see such cool stuff.
Thanks, Kathy. Going to Greece was my lifelong dream come true! Still hard to believe it actually happened.
That’s a lovely ring to have as a reminder of a wonderful holiday!
Yes, it will always remind me of our fabulous trip. 🙂 Hard to believe that was two years ago! Thanks, Clowie.
I’m not participating in this particular blogfest. but then again I don’t think I have anything cherished. Maybe the journals I kept from 1984 onward. And what more could be said about them?
Still, it was nice to hear a bit more about Greece and the relationship to gold.
Hi Jeffrey; Sorry I missed this earlier. Journals are great cherished items; like old photos, it’s nice to revisit the past, sometimes.
I’ve so loved hearing about your Greece trip since last year’s A-to-Z, Debbie… It’s a wonderful country (such a shame what they’re going through now), but the fact that it was a lifelong dream for you and that you managed to make it a reality is so powerful. That ring is *gorgeous*, lady! And the significance… What a wonderful attachment, “Never Say Never”. We all should have something to remind us that everything is, in fact, possible. Loved this!
Glad you enjoyed the post, Guilie. Yes, the ring is a great reminder. 🙂 I only hope Greece can come out of this dire situation intact.
Wow! This is really cool! I’d love to go to Greece and your journey sounds like it was a lot of fun and definitely something to cherish. The ring, even though I’m not a fan of gold jewelry at all, is gorgeous.
It was the trip of a lifetime, Madilyn! 🙂 Not only Greece, but Germany (my birthplace) and Italy (hubby’s birthplace) as well. We were gone for a month and loved it all. The ring is a beautiful reminder. Glad you enjoyed the post.
It sounds like a trip of a lifetime! I hope to do something similar! Germany would be amazing to visit, too! 🙂
I hope you get the chance to go! 🙂 Although I was born in Germany, Italy actually attracts me more, probably because it’s so different.
Wow Debbie. Greece is on my wishlist. I feel all starry-eyed reading your post. We only know Greece from our history books, Mythology or the news. That ring must look lovely on you! I can just imagine your memories each time you look at it!
I smile everytime I look at it, Vidya. 🙂 That was the trip of a lifetime! Not only Greece, but I went back to my birthplace in Germany for the first time in 41 years. Glad you enjoyed the post.
That’s two cherished things – memories from the Greece trip and that beautiful ring. So wonderful of your husband to spot that for you. Such an affectionate gesture.
Yes, indeed. Three things, if hubby can be added to that list. 😀 He’s always been so generous, that way. Glad you enjoyed the post, Parul. 🙂
How lovely that is! The ring, the gift. The love entwined with it and did you mention, 40 years of togetherness? Awesome
Yes, that was our 40th wedding anniversary, two years ago. We have actually been together since October, 1971. A lifetime! 😀 We are awed by it, ourselves. Thank you, Ajay.
It’s great that you have a lovely ‘souvenir’ ring of Greece bringing memories of your wonderful trip there. I am sure you will always cherish that and your husband who sounds like a keeper! 😉 <3
Oh yes, hubby is definitely a keeper, but the ring comes second. 😀
A lovely momento, Debbie, from a beautiful part of the world. I think Hubby sounds like a keeper too. I guess you agree since you are now in your 5th decade together!
Hi Sammy; I was going to walk away because of the price, but then hubby did his thing. 🙂 He’s definitely a keeper, as is the ring. Thanks for dropping by.
P.S. Was there a problem with comments? I see you posted twice.
Debbie – what a lovely momento from your very special Greek trip. That hubby is certainly a keeper, too 🙂
Duplicate comment. Sorry there was an issue, Sammy. Thanks for persevering. 🙂
That is a lovely ring with a special memory attached to it. I wonder how would it feel being married to the same person for 40 years with 30 more to go for me. Thanks for sharing your story. It made me more aware about the fact that Greeks were as obsessed with gold as Indians have been.
The time flies by before you know it! We can’t believe how long it’s been. 🙂 Yes, Gold is part of so many ancient cultures. Thanks for dropping by.
That is a lovely ring with a loving memory. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks. Looks like a duplicate comment. Sorry if there was a technical problem.
Dropped in as part of the Cherish Blogfest tour. Liked your cherished piece. I had a hard time selecting my cherished item but finally did. For you it was easy.
Welcome to the Den, A.G. 🙂 Yes, it was an easy choice for me. Thanks for dropping by.
That is absolutely gorgeous!!! What a beautiful keepsake. And bravo to your husband for getting such a good deal on it! I love negotiating…
Thanks, Michele. 🙂 I’m glad hubby persevered. I suck at negotiating, but he’s a master at it.
What a lovely piece of jewellery, and a wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing your story!
Glad you enjoyed the post, Laurel. This one’s a keeper, just like hubby. What a prince! 😀 The trouble with fulfilling a lifelong dream is that everything afterwards seems so anticlimactic.
That is a beautiful piece and I can understand why you cherish it so. This would have been a difficult blogfest for me as I own few things that I could say that I “cherish” and maybe none. I tend not to get overly attached to specific things.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
Yes; it is the embodiment of my dream come true. 🙂 It’s probably good not to get too attached to things. That way, if they’re ever lost or stolen, it won’t be a huge deal. I recently lost the gold ID bracelet given to me by my grandmother when I was 12. Broke my heart! Damn thing fell off my wrist and I didn’t realize it until much later. Of course, I had been running errands that day. Trying to find it was a “needle in a haystack” scenario and ended in failure. 🙁
Thanks for dropping by, Lee. Have a good weekend.
A cherished ring to go with a cherished memory. My best friend just went to Athens, Greece back in 2007 & 2008 and taught English as a second language. She loved living there…at that time. I can’t think of just one cherished item-I have a few that I would put in my cart if i had to suddenly leave home-3 necklaces I received when i was a kid and still wear. A wooden doggie my daddy gave me when I was little. 2 pottery pigs that my ex made when he was in grade school. My first film book I received as a Christmas gift from my brother. The ancestry information from my mom and pictures from all the years
How great that your friend was able to spend two years in Athens. I do hope Greece will recover from this current economic quagmire; it’s such a glorious country! You have some wonderful keepsakes as cherished items. I have more as well, but this one came to mind immediately. Thanks for dropping by, Birgit. Have a good weekend. 🙂
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for participating in the Cherished Blogfest, and for promoting it on social media!
What a dream, and how well-fulfilled. You’re so lucky to have such a cool spouse, and to get to travel to and explore a place of your dreams.
My pleasure, Damyanti. 🙂 Thank you for coming up with this great idea for a blogfest.
Greece was number one on my bucket list for about 50 years. Hubby has been with me for more than 40. Most fortunate, indeed!
Hi. I hope you are feeling wonderful today. I am one of the cohosts of the #Cherished blogfest. It has begun on and I look forward to reading about your most beloved object. Thanks and cheers!
Welcome to The Den, Peter. 🙂 Thank you for co-hosting this interesting blogfest. Looking forward to reading your post, as well.
That replica ring is stunning. I love my engagement ring, which I don’t have a photo of. It means everything to me.
A wonderful symbol of love. 🙂 Thanks for dropping in, Carol. Have a good weekend.
What a beautiful ring, and the memories that go with it outshine the gold. Love your story and what better place is there to visit if you are passionate about ancient history!
Thanks to you, Debbie, I have participated in the Cherished Blogfest. I can recommend this to others. At first it seemed complicated, but the assisting services are fast and very friendly…and if I can do it… anyone can. 🙂
Yes, it’s more about the memories than the item itself, although I do love it. 🙂 First night in Athens, I actually cried for joy to be there! Looking back, it seems like all a dream, then I look at the ring…….
I’m always happy to help and am glad you joined the blogfest, Angelika. Your story is beautiful and I hope others will enjoy it.