The Ruby Ring

It was just about dusk in Jerusalem and the sun, golden and full-bellied, hung low in the horizon. We passed a small jewelry shop, and I slowed my pace to look into the windows where gold pieces were displayed. It reminded me of my grandmother, who, to this day, wears a collection of simple gold jewelry. A couple of rings and several thin bangles adorn her soft-skinned arms, that I remember as a child being embraced by, and she’d whisper to me the offer of chocolate that she and my grandfather stored in the closet by the front door of their apartment. Their chocolates always tasted slightly of mint and nougat. And it was lovely. Their grandfather clock ticked rhythmically, a reminder of the constant passage of time. And it was while floating in this old memory, that I saw the ring—a simple twisted band set with five ruby stones in a deep, and luscious shade of pink. I went inside the shop and tried it on—it fit my finger to perfection.

A couple of weeks before our trip to Israel, I had won first runner up in the Conde Nast Traveler Shorties Awards with this video, earning myself a cash prize, mention on the CNT website, and an invite to a New York City cocktail party that felt way cooler than I was.

I decided that this ring was a perfect way to commemorate this accomplishment, and took a portion of my prize money to purchase it. I left the shop, my finger adorned with a ring that gives me delicious nostalgia, and serves as a daily reminder of what I am capable of achieving.