Note: Well here we are, something a little different for you all! I normally write poetry, but I do have a few short stories lying around and I thought I'd post one. This is based off of some real events. I really did get the necklace described in this piece from my Godmother for college graduation. Also, the necklace does mean to me what I describe in the story. This is a story based on what I thought might happen when I have a family and my daughter graduates from high school. Hope you all enjoy!

I walked excitedly out of the school towards my parents and older brother, high school diploma in my hand. My mother grabbed me in a tight hug.

“I’m so proud of you baby,” she whispered softly. My father and brother echo her sentiments.

I talked and laughed with my friends, the nostalgia settling in as I realized this chapter in my life was coming to an end. It was a bittersweet occasion, but I knew it was inevitable.

Later that night, I walked towards my room exhausted with the day’s events. I was a little surprised to find my mom sitting on my bed in my room holding a small gift-wrapped box. She smiled and handed it to me.

“I thought that I wasn’t supposed to get my gifts until my party,” I questioned. She smiled again.

“This is a special gift that I wanted to give you in private. It was given to me when I graduated from college from my godmother.”

 I looked at the box curiously before slowly unwrapping it. I lifted the lid and stared in shock at the diamond ring necklace that my mom had always worn. She never wore anything but a cross and this necklace.

 “Why are you giving this to me?” I asked confused. “It obviously means a lot to you. You never take it off.” My mom smiled again.

“It reminds me of a commitment I made long ago. One that I still hope to keep until the day I die. I was hoping that you would come to see it as a symbol of your commitment too, because I believe you have the same one.” I looked at her puzzled.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. How does a diamond ring necklace symbolize anything?”

“Turn it over and look at the back,” she gently replied.

I flipped the ring over. Behind the diamonds was an inscription. “Love is a journey,” I read thoughtfully. I looked back up at my mom. She was smiling again. “Are you sure that dad didn’t buy this for you? It’s quite obvious that this is a necklace for people in love.”

My mom laughed while giving me a humorous look. “Everyone thought some secret rich boyfriend had given it to me at the time when I started wearing it, but it did really come from my godmother.”

“So if it didn’t represent someone’s love for you, then why was it so important? You said it represented a commitment.”

“It did,” she replied. “You know why I always wear a cross right?” It was my turn to smile.

“Because it reminds you of God and His love for you.”

“Exactly, so this necklace reminded me of others and my commitment to try to love them as God does.”

 I stood staring at the necklace again, starting to see it in a different light as my mom continued.

“The inscription and the gradual increasing diamond size represent my journey as I grow in Christ and express more and more of His love through me. Just as I journey with God and grow stronger and closer to Him, so do I want to journey through this life with His love and have it grow and show itself stronger towards others through me.” I brushed my fingers over the diamonds thoughtfully.

“So it was a constant reminder to always love others then, just like God does right?” She smiled.

“Yes, but that is not all it symbolized to me. The circle represents that love is eternal and it always comes back around to us, forever growing. It also symbolizes unity. Love is the one universal thing that unites us.” I brushed my fingers next over the smooth gold on the side opposite the diamonds on the ring.

“I wonder why they just didn’t make the diamonds go all the way around then. Unless people couldn’t afford it,” I commented. My mom closed her eyes before answering.

“I like to think that they did it on purpose. It serves as a warning.”

“A warning?” I questioned confused again.

 “Yes. It symbolizes what happens when there is no love. You life is cold and hard. It may be pretty on the outside, but it is empty and meaningless, unless loves glittering light resides in it.” I smiled.

“Thank you so much mom, it means so much more to me now knowing that.” I frowned slightly. “But what about you? If it reminds you of your commitment to love, shouldn’t you keep it?” She smiled brightly.

“I don’t need any reminder to love others anymore. God blessed me with your father, your brother, and you. Anytime I look at any of you, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with love. It’s all of the reminder I’ll ever need.”

I brushed away a stray tear before looking at the necklace again. I smiled back up at my mom. “I think it is a wonderful way for me to symbolize my commitment to loving others as God does.”

I took the necklace from the box and carefully fastened it around my neck as I silently made a vow. I want to always love others more as I go towards my future.

 It may not be much, it was just a vow, but every journey must start with a single step.

I thought back on my life and the many ways my love for others, and the love others had for me, had changed and grown. I smiled.

Yes, love really is a journey after all.