As Kaylie was quickly preparing to get ready for school, she could not decide what attire to select. Her family was of modest means, and her older sisters had worn many of her clothes previously. She was the baby of the family.

Her two siblings were both living elsewhere. One was married, and the other one was away at college on a scholarship. Today, there was going to be a big announcement which was scheduled to be made by her teacher.

Just before Kaylie's departure, she gathered her books, combed her curly mass of blazing carrot-colored ringlets, and smeared sunscreen onto her delicate skin. She then hurried off with a portion of her breakfast still in her hands. She needed to be able to consume the remainder of her meal without being delayed.

She was allowing her childlike curiosity to get the better of her. The inquisitive anticipation of what awaited her, was occupying her thoughts. Later that morning during class, their teacher explained, that in two weeks they were going to have a special 'show-and-tell' day.
Many of the other students marveled at the thought of being able to flaunt their riches. Unlike Kaylie, they were being reared within wealthier circumstances.

Several of her counterparts had souvenirs from their previous travels. Some of her other peers had expensive toys they had received as gifts. Kaylie’s presents were more humble. During her last birthday, she received a cloth rag doll, and a tea set. Although she loved these items, she knew they were not as extravagant in comparison, to the offerings the other pupils had received.

That evening, Kaylie spent hours rummaging through her personal belongings. She was on a quest to find an unusual item, she would be able to bring for the upcoming event. She was searching for a 'unique find' in order to impress everyone. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful in her attempt to stumble upon something which would electrify her classmates.

She slouched on her bed feeling a sense of frustration, when suddenly she
heard her mother knocking at her door.

"May I come in Kaylie; I have something to show you?" Her Mom asked.

Sure, come in." Kaylie responded, while at the same time surrendering defeat.

When her mother stepped into her bedroom, she was holding a smaller golden bracelet with what appeared to be tiny figures dangling from its slight links. "What’s that?" Kaylie inquired. "This is what is called a charmbracelet," her mother explained.

As Kaylie admired it, she noticed its deep richness in color. It had almost a coppery sheen to it. This was very rare. Adorned to the delicate loops hung eight miniature ornaments. Each trinket was artistically sculpted with precision. Kaylie was able to identify what each one was. She recognized a pudgy leprechaun, a shamrock, a claddagh, a traditional Irish dancing shoe, a Celtic cottage, a primitive spinning wheel, and a bagpipe. The eighth
petite pendant had a horseshoe, a four-leaf clover, and a wishbone all intertwined together as one. Kaylie was amazed at how meticulously chiseled they each were.She also noticed that the style of the diminutive charms, as well as the tone of the radiant armlet looked unusual. "Why does it look so different?" Kaylie questioned inquisitively.

"Well, this is what is referred to as an antique, which means it was made many years ago. This actually belonged to your great-grandmother. That's why it looks so different from the more current jewelry you are accustomed to seeing me wear."

"Wow, it must be pretty old", Kaylie replied enthusiastically! "It is, that's why it is called an antique," her mother patiently reiterated.

"You see, your great-great grandfather was a goldsmith. Both he and his wife fled Ireland in the late 1800s in order to travel to America in hope of a better life. They had one child, a daughter, who was your great-grandmother. They were poor and they did not have many possessions. After they arrived here, your great-great grandfather earned his living making gold jewelry for other people. During their first holiday season in their newly adopted land, they could not afford to buy their daughter, your great-grandmother, a present. Therefore,
each day, several months in advance, they would save any leftover gold scraps they could find. Your great-great grandfather worked on this bracelet every night.

It was finally finished on the day of Christmas Eve. Originally, it only had only one charm. However, every St. Patrick's Day, he would add another one, until there were eight all together. Each charm was made to represent a symbol of the homeland they adored. Except for this last one, which was created to bring good luck forever? Your great-great-grandfather wanted his daughter to always remember their culture, as well as the much-loved native soil they had left behind. Your great-grandmother, my grandmother, treasured this bracelet. It is a bit dirty and worn down now, but I am certain at the time it was a spectacular piece that she wore always." Her mother vocalized with a sentimental tenor.
Her Mom then suggested, "Why don't we take it to our jeweler tomorrow after school, and see if he can clean it and fix it up for us. "Okay, but I need to have it back in two weeks," Kaylie politely cautioned.

The next day, they visited Mr. O‘Linski their friend and neighbor. He owned the only jewelry store in town. Mr. O’Linski viewed it through his special lens. "This is a very old and
delicate object," he assessed. "I can clean it up, and polish it, but I do not think it is sturdy enough to enjoy on a regular basis. It is simply too fragile," he advised.

"Oh, I was hoping Kaylie would be able to wear it whenever she wanted to," her mother countered in disappointment. "I’m sorry, Mr. O’Linski explained, I wish I could have better news to tell you," he replied in a sympathetic manner.

"I can make some regular repairs on it, but I cannot promise you as to how it will hold up. A complete renovation would be too costly. I think it is best that I am honest with you upfront before you leave it here. I can have it ready for you in about ten days," he offered with a soft candor. "Okay, just do the best you can," her mother glumly instructed.

During recess the following day, some of the other girls asked Kaylie what she was planning to bring for the upcoming 'show-and-tell.'

"I’m not saying," Kaylie replied as a mischievous grin crept on her face.

The other children began to brag about what items they intended to display for the big occasion. "I own an expensive dollhouse, my parents bought for me while they were traveling Paris. It is so big, that my Dad is going to have to take it to school in his car," she boasted. Another student stated, "I just got a new computer laptop for my birthday," she shouted smugly. "Well, what I plan on showing everyone is very unusual, but you'll just have
to wait and see," Kaylie firmly proclaimed. A few days before the demonstrations were to occur, Kaylie and her mother, ran down to the store to pickup the bracelet. When they arrived, Mr. O’Linski was standing by the front doorway displaying a huge smile. He was holding a long gift box wrapped in fancy tissue paper, laced of gilded clovers.

"I have a surprise for Kaylie," he stated. He handed Kaylie the narrow package. As she eagerly unwrapped it and raised the lid, she could not believe her eyes! There laid on top of satin interior, a shimmering golden vision beaming in its own magnificence. The glow radiated from within the elegant velveteen container. Mr. O’Linski began to describe in detail the labor, which was required in order to fully restore it.

"I added extra gold on every circle of the wristlet. These charms were very well made, so I only needed to polish them up a bit. I then secured each one individually. I attached the ring to the actual pendant, and recreated it into one solid piece. The hoops I connected to each one are much bigger. However, the ones I used are very light, will not bend the links out of shape. This will make the bracelet more durable during a child's play. They do not design jewelry like this anymore. The detail alone is quite exceptional.

I worked with a richer gold combined with copper, so it would blend in more realistically with the coloration of the bracelet from that period in time. I added a special old-fashioned lock to match the overall appearance of this section. This conventional bolt is also much larger, so Kaylie can grasp on to it better, and put it on everyday by herself. You will not need to fret about it falling off," Mr. O’Linski emphasized.

"Wow, it looks practically new, I hardly recognized it," Kaylie’s mother expressed with amazement. "How much money do I owe you for all of this other work?" she asked. "Not a penny extra," Mr. O’Linski gleefully informed her.

"I don’t understand?" her mother replied in bewilderment. "Your husband has already paid for everything. He wanted it to be a joyful moment for both you and Kaylie. I have made this item very strong, so Kaylie will be able to wear it without the worry of damaging it during her fun-time activities," Mr. O’Linski thoughtfully pointed out.

"This is the most beautiful thing in the whole world!" Kaylie exclaimed with an immature buoyancy. She immediately tried it on and fastened it. She began to admire the artistry of the work. "I’ll bet you will be the only girl in the class, who owns something so significant," her mother said. Kaylie happily nodded her head in agreement.

Kaylie wore her newly upgraded precious medal on the way home that evening. She decided not to sport it at school until the actual date of the exhibitions.

As she took each step, the eight miniature ornaments jingled slightly. To Kaylie, this only added a magical mystery to the situation. As Kaylie awoke during the early hours of the 'big day,' she thought it was befitting to put on her favorite emerald green dress. Her mother
assisted with the grooming. She helped tie beautiful 'kelly tinted ribbons'

in her daughter's thick, and coiled bright orange hair. Later that morning, during the other presentations, Kaylie watched with nervous eagerness. The other children brought belongings, which were expensive, but did not hold any personal meaning, or family history.
Kaylie kept her upper limb hidden in her pocket. She decided she did not want anyone to notice her bracelet until it was her turn to speak. When she heard her name called, she quickly walked up to the front of the classroom.

As Kaylie neared the designated area, she pulled out her arm and revealed to the entire class her surprise. Everyone in the room began to stare at her wrist in astonishment! The rich golden charms glittered against her creamy complexion embossed with freckles. The sunlight gleamed through the windows. This created a scene of an assortment of hues shimmering within a dazzling mixture of highlights, which were resonating from her
'stunning treasure.' Kaylie told her classmates about the history, and the personal struggles, her ancestors had encountered, regarding the circumstances surrounding the
creation of this 'cherished physical legacy.' When she finished, the other children wanted to view this remarkable asset more closely. She knew she owned something irreplaceable, and began to feel a sense of honor.

Kaylie began to think about her great-great grandfather and the exquisite gift he had created out of love for his daughter. She paused for a moment, and began to focus her thoughts solely on the two of them. Kaylie sensed their 'kindhearted feelings' were gleaming down on her from above. She felt their love, pride, and warmth, wrapped around her body,
like a snugly home sewn coverlet on a chilly night. Later that afternoon, during recess, some of the other girls gathered around Kaylie and took turns 'trying on' her band of trinkets. Their teacher approached the small crowd.

As each youngster was waiting for her turn, their schoolmarm began to explain, why this piece of personal property was so meaningful to Kaylie and her parents.

Sometimes, the most extraordinary possessions we own are the ones which tell a story of our heritage, as well as of our predecessors. This connects us to our forbearers, which allows us to understand our past. This provides us with a stronger foundation which helps us each to understand ourselves a little better," she explained.

As she finished speaking, she looked back and winked at Kaylie. Kaylie winked back at their instructor, as she tilted her head in grateful acknowledgment. For she understood the important message that this teacher had conveyed to them all during recess that day.