M is for Misanthrope is the place to go to see everyone who is posting Talismans today. The Sub-Title for her blog is:
The more people I meet, the more I like my pets. This is the question she posed to us on this, another Mon Funday:
Do you have a piece of jewelry or other item that holds great personal significance for you, and that you wear or keep with you every day? Show us a photo of your talisman, and tell us why it is so important to you.
Well, the first thing I did before jumping into this assignment with all four feet was to look up Misanthrope and Talisman in my handy-dandy dictionary because neither of those words are in my "working vocabulary."
My dictionary says this about misanthrope: one who hates or distrusts all people. Yikes. Let's be sure to tip-toe around our hostess today.
The first thing I learned about talisman is that the plural for it is not talisMEN. It is talisMANS. And that the definition is 1) a ring, stone, etc. bearing engraved figures supposed to bring good luck, avert evil. 2) anything supposed to have a magic power; a charm.
There was no doubt in my mind what piece of jewelry held significant meaning for me.
This is my mother's college ring from Southeastern State College, Durant, Oklahoma, as it was know then, engraved with the Greek letters:
Kappa Delta Pi which is an international honor society in education.
The other part of our Mon Funday assignment is to tell why it's important to us...
This ring represents many things to me. First, it was not an easy task for her to attend college because of the cost. She was determined to be a school teacher, and nothing would stand in her way of earning that degree. Not even the fact that the college was located 60 miles from where she lived. Sixty miles was a long distance back then. Part of the time she lived in an upstairs apartment above Thompson's Book Store in Durant where I later worked to put myself through college to also gain a degree in education.
Not only does it represent determination, it represents hard work. She graduated with honors as indicated by her induction into Kappa Delta Pi.
It represents a tradition that I carried on... and my daughters carried on... by graduating from college with honors. My oldest graduated from Oklahoma University and my youngest from Oklahoma State University, denoted by "The House Divided" icon on my right side bar. That hunger for learning drove us on to graduate school, and when my youngest receives her Master's Degree in less than eighteen months, we will be batting a thousand in that field.
Ultimately, the ring represents that "Knowledge is Power." Others may take many things from you, but no one can take away your education.
I'm not sure of the occasion for this photo, but my mom is on the left and her BFF is on the right. Mom would have been 82 this past April 1. That's Jimmie on the right who was also a school teacher. They were both my mentors. Mom was a 24/7 mentor. Jimmie was my student teacher at Brantly Elementary in 1972. Jimmie is doing well these days. In fact, I spoke with her today. This Mon Funday post assignment motivated me to call and check on her. She is still just a elegant as ever.
Thank you Miss Misanthrope for helping reunite me with a dear, dear friend.
What a wonderful tribute to your Mom. Knowledge is power and you can never have enough of it. I really enjoy reading your blog, I would like to add you to my blog list, if this is ok with you.
Posted by: Janis | November 16, 2008 at 02:49 PM
JANIS: Of course, it's ok to add me to your blog list. I would be honored. Also, I love how you spell your name. My mom's sister spells it that way.
Posted by: Swampy | November 16, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Great tribute to your Mom. I hope that this weekend has been good for you and your family.
Posted by: mike golch | November 16, 2008 at 04:35 PM
this is a lovely tribute. and what a special ring that is!
Posted by: the planet of janet | November 16, 2008 at 04:39 PM
How fortunate you are to be reared by a mother who understood the power of an education--and you've obviously passed that on to your children. Throughout my own struggles to get a college education I always tried to remember that, once earned, a college degree and all that it represents was mine for always.
BTW, your mother's eyes are just beautiful and she and her BFF were such elegant women. What is your heritage because I believe you also inherited those lucky eyes?
Posted by: Faye | November 16, 2008 at 04:57 PM
I enjoyed this entry. Your mother was certainly a good role model and set a high standard that you and your daughters have reached. You asked me in a comment on my blog how I found your blog, and I honestly can't remember. I know it was a recommendation from a fellow J-Lander-turned-blogger, but I can't remember who it was.
Posted by: Lori | November 16, 2008 at 05:09 PM
What a beautiful post about your mother and her friend Jimmie. What a beautiful thing to be able to say that your mother was your mentor. I can surely see how this ring would mean so much to you. How beautiful that you have passed this love and knowledge to your own daughters. What a legacy your mother started and you are passing on to your daughters.
"Knowledge is power" is a statement I have used with my own children and we use it often at the school I work at. I am constantly saying this to my young mom's when they contemplate quitting school or question going to college or not.
Having people that believe in you is a priceless gift. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story...it was a nice way for me to end my weekend!
Posted by: Lori | November 16, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Strong women are raised by strong women. What a wonder memento to be passed from Mother to daughter.
Posted by: IamwhoIam | November 16, 2008 at 07:53 PM
I wish you would have shared some of your determination with me.
I didn't finish college and that has been one of my biggest regrets.
Two lovely lovely lovely ladies... those two.
You sure look like your mom, too.
Posted by: Pamela | November 16, 2008 at 07:53 PM
I agree with Pamela, you look just like your mom!
Your Mom and her friend are gorgeous women, you can see their determination and their love of life in their eyes.
This is a great tribute to all the strong and beautiful women in your life, including you!!
Posted by: Alison | November 16, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Wonderful tribute. Your mother would have liked my Great Grandfather, who also put great value on getting an education against all odds. I'll tell you his story some time. I'm glad that she instilled a love for learning and teaching in you, and that inspite of your challenges (divorce, cancer) your daughters have both excelled and followed in your footsteps. I'm very sorry to say that I did not finish college, and now, with my brain damage, even if I had the opportunity, I don't think I have the ability anymore. Sometimes I dream of being able to atleast be able to audit some classes some day, but that's just a dream...
Posted by: Equoni | November 16, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Love this post! Like your Mom, my Mom is a firm believer of education...and give so much value on it.
And yes, strong women are raised by strong women! ;)
Happy Fun Monday
Posted by: Mariposa | November 17, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Ahhh! I am a member of Kappa Delta Pi as well! But I only have a sweatshirt! Great post!
Posted by: Tracey | November 17, 2008 at 05:32 AM
Great story behind the ring. :) I now know where you get your beauty and brains. :) Your mom and her friend are both lovely.
Posted by: Lisa's Chaos | November 17, 2008 at 07:56 AM
lovely sentiment
Posted by: jill | November 17, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Great post and wonderful tribute. How wonderful to have her ring.
Posted by: Jan-Murrieta | November 17, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Swampy...what a beautiful post and tribute to your Mom. What a cool lady, or should I say ladies (you AND your mom). And I'm glad you got to chat with your Mom too! *note to self: call MY mom* Thanks again for participating this week!!
Posted by: m (the misanthrope) | November 17, 2008 at 09:22 AM
What an awesome legacy.
Posted by: mamalang | November 17, 2008 at 10:06 AM
A lovely post and a fabulous ring.
Posted by: Ali | November 17, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Wonderful post about your Mom...My Mom would have liked her
Posted by: BeeDancer | November 17, 2008 at 11:28 AM
What a remarkable woman....now I see where you got it!
Posted by: Karmyn R | November 17, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Congratulations on all the book learnin' going on over at your place. Wonderful! And I LOVE that photo.
Posted by: hulagirlatheart | November 17, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Great tribute to great people in your world thanks for sharing...
Posted by: lis | November 17, 2008 at 01:44 PM
What a touching post. You must be very proud about your daughter's accomplishments. I can see how this ring is definitely a "good luck charm".
Posted by: Church Lady | November 17, 2008 at 01:48 PM
I've learned all about college rings this Fun Monday. :)
Such a great tribute to your mother.
Posted by: Sarah | November 17, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Cool post!
Posted by: rob | November 17, 2008 at 03:23 PM
That was so interesting to learn about college rings. A lovely tribute to your mother.
Posted by: chrisb | November 17, 2008 at 03:47 PM
What a lovely tribute to your mother - and how wonderful that you have something so special of hers! It sounds like your whole family of women are something else!
Posted by: Sayre | November 17, 2008 at 06:38 PM