While symbols may seem like only that to some people, they are much more for others. What may appear to be only an object, may have deep meaning and signify so much.
I heard a story yesterday that I haven't been able to get out of my mind regarding one of the most recognizable symbols that probably exists-- the wedding ring. While engaging in conversation with family, a young man began to tell me about the rings on his finger.
First he talked about his wedding ring. He said that he wore his ring constantly, even though the possibility of the ring getting bent existed, due to his line of work. He said that the ring was bent and seemed to be embedded in his finger. Despite this, he said he would not take it off. He said the ring symbolized his commitment to his wife and his family. That if anything ever happened to him, he wanted it to be known that he always carried a part of his wife and children with him. I had never heard such heartfelt words about a ring. His wife smiled at him and took a picture of him as he spoke with emotion of what family meant to him.
He then talked about the second ring. He and his lovely wife had recently visited a friend in another state and the friend had given everyone a gift that fit each one of their personalities. The friend gave him a ring that had The Lord's Prayer engraved in Spanish in small letters. He said that was the second ring that he would never take off. He explained that the ring was too small and that is why he wore it on his pinky finger. He also explained that the friend who gave him the ring was battling cancer. He said that even if the ring tore into his skin and caused him pain, that would not be anything compared to what the friend was suffering.
Two rings --- one symbolizing union/family and the other symbolizing friendship. The common thread that the rings had was love. They both symbolize the love of a devoted husband, father and friend.
These two rings are symbols/objects that have profound meaning for this young man. We all have objects or symbols that have deep meaning for us. Those objects are sacred not because of their physical manifestation, but because of what they mean to us, what they represent. So before you think a ring could only be a ring, to someone else it could mean so much more.To that person, the ring is sacred.
Priscilla Rice is an actor, poet, mother and aspiring samba dancer. She has appeared in several plays at the Latino Cultural Center and helps coordinate a monthly spoken word event at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. She studied Broadcast Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin and has worked as a radio news/traffic reporter and assignment editor for various television stations. She currently works as an interpreter/translator. She is originally from Crystal City, TX and resides in Dallas with her son, Leo.
I heard a story yesterday that I haven't been able to get out of my mind regarding one of the most recognizable symbols that probably exists-- the wedding ring. While engaging in conversation with family, a young man began to tell me about the rings on his finger.
First he talked about his wedding ring. He said that he wore his ring constantly, even though the possibility of the ring getting bent existed, due to his line of work. He said that the ring was bent and seemed to be embedded in his finger. Despite this, he said he would not take it off. He said the ring symbolized his commitment to his wife and his family. That if anything ever happened to him, he wanted it to be known that he always carried a part of his wife and children with him. I had never heard such heartfelt words about a ring. His wife smiled at him and took a picture of him as he spoke with emotion of what family meant to him.
He then talked about the second ring. He and his lovely wife had recently visited a friend in another state and the friend had given everyone a gift that fit each one of their personalities. The friend gave him a ring that had The Lord's Prayer engraved in Spanish in small letters. He said that was the second ring that he would never take off. He explained that the ring was too small and that is why he wore it on his pinky finger. He also explained that the friend who gave him the ring was battling cancer. He said that even if the ring tore into his skin and caused him pain, that would not be anything compared to what the friend was suffering.
Two rings --- one symbolizing union/family and the other symbolizing friendship. The common thread that the rings had was love. They both symbolize the love of a devoted husband, father and friend.
These two rings are symbols/objects that have profound meaning for this young man. We all have objects or symbols that have deep meaning for us. Those objects are sacred not because of their physical manifestation, but because of what they mean to us, what they represent. So before you think a ring could only be a ring, to someone else it could mean so much more.To that person, the ring is sacred.
Priscilla Rice is an actor, poet, mother and aspiring samba dancer. She has appeared in several plays at the Latino Cultural Center and helps coordinate a monthly spoken word event at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center. She studied Broadcast Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin and has worked as a radio news/traffic reporter and assignment editor for various television stations. She currently works as an interpreter/translator. She is originally from Crystal City, TX and resides in Dallas with her son, Leo.
