As our new Managing Director, Martine Chartrand, took the helm this past July, I hoped my grandmother would approve.
My answer came last week.
My mother greeted me warmly one evening, delighted with my surprise visit. She had a small bag in her hand. “These are for you”, she said. “They’re from Grandma. I feel she wants you to have them.”
I stared in amazement. Let me explain…
The rules in a commercial kitchen are clear: no rings, no bracelets, no necklaces, nothing pierced – in short, no jewellery. All jewellery has to be removed before entering the production area.
That morning, my ring had been wisely placed in my front jean pocket. My favourite pair of costume earrings were absentmindedly placed on my locker shelf.
As I was closing up the kitchen at day’s end, my hand swept the locker shelf and the earrings flew. I found one. The other had vanished.
Driving home, I thought perhaps it was time for me to buy myself a really lovely pair of earrings. It was time to treat myself to a special gift.
I decided to stop by my parents home briefly to give them both a hug, knowing this would pick my spirits up. I popped in unannounced, catching them with 5 minutes to spare before they were going out for the evening.
My mother handed me the bag. “These are for you,” she said. My father watched in amazement. In the bag was a lovely pair of gold earrings that had belonged to my Grandmother Emily. They had sat, untouched, in a drawer, since her funeral 20 years earlier. Delicate, exquisite and timeless, they were perfect.
We hugged, we shed a tear and I drove home wearing my lovely new earrings – amazed.
I don’t wear a watch. Grandma, I figure you decided that after 14 years running Grandma Emily’s Granola, it was time for the gold earrings instead. Thanks for your approval.
