I’ve been thinking about this awesomeness challenge for quite some time, and then I realised – I’m wearing one.
My interpretation of “totem” is a strong symbol in physical form – in this case, one that can be worn.
On the ring finger of my left hand is a white-gold band that symbolises my commitment to devote my life to a certain CJ for as long as we’re both alive. We’ve been married just over 21 months now, longer than two of my friend’s marriages (one of the women told me, “The first month was nice.”)
I still like CJ. He still likes me. We’ve worked through a couple of issues and (more or less) sorted osuyut how we run a house together, and how we relate to the members of our two families. Our house is the most peaceful place I know.
In my (beginning-oriented) experience, marriage really is all it’s cracked up to be – companionship, warmth, laughter, trust, big shared dreams of the future, and some pain.
I love the symbol of the wedding ring. The plain circle encompasses forever and simplicity (even, perhaps, boredom), and half the time I don’t even realise it’s there. But when I’m stark naked – I’m still wearing one thing. As I visit my 8.5-months pregnant sister, I still have a physical reminder of where my life belongs – with CJ.
I miss you CJ. Here’s a present: http://thefedoralounge.com/
And for everyone else, some steampunk pictures for your Wednesday morning (from our friends at geekologie.com again – and yes, it works):
Oh, squee.
I’d be interested to know what *you* mean by a totem. Is it a strong symbol? A channel? A focus?
W: Strong symbol. Hmm, I shoulda mentioned what I was talking about.
This is beautiful, and so true.
I adore the symbol of the wedding ring too – I normally can’t stand to wear a piece of jewellery for more than a couple of hours, but it’s such a part of me I don’t even notice it, but every time I glance at my hand, it’s there, and I’m always looking at it. Ours are engraved with “Twegan Gastus in Annes” which is Anglo-Saxon for “Two Souls (Ghosts) as one” – and is such a powerful symbol of our relationship.
🙂 Thanks for reminding me how powerful and beautiful my marriage is 🙂
Steff: I love my happily-married friends. *waves to CDH*
Thank you pretty girl, I miss you too. I’d give you a foot massage right now if I could.
Yes, FedoraLounge is excellent. I makes me think I really need to dress up a little more often. Still, spring has been a good time for my casual waistcoat.
Incidentally, would we happen to have room in the budget for a steampunk laptop? Only I’m not entirely sure I can live without one.
Hi CJ *winsome smile*
Yeah, we can totally get a steampunk laptop. Indeed, how could we not? I think it’ll cost us a kidney each (based on the black market price of $5000), but why do we have spares, if not for this?
Love Louise