100. I Love ... my Locket

It was a gift for our third anniversary,

a gold chain with 

a gold heart locket

that opens.

It is

without a doubt

my favourite piece of jewellery.

I wear it constantly.

It has seldom left my neck

in 37 years.

On the rare occasion that I have removed it

to wear something else because it 'goes',

I feel naked.

On our 25th Anniversary, 

Brian gave me a gold chain with a diamond,

and to be honest,

I thought ... why?

What a waste - I won't wear it - 

I only want my locket.

I lost the diamond and chain.

I think it was inevitable

because I needed to get my locket back 

where it belonged.

Every one of my children,

every one of my grandchildren ...

ten little people

whose eyes have gone directly to that spot

from the minute they could focus,

whose tiny hands have reached for it -

that is what that locket is to me.

The chain has been repaired more than once

because they use it as a handle,

they grab hold and pull.

And every one of them has asked me to

'Open It'.

And every one has been concerned 

that there is nothing in it.

'But...'

I tell them -

'there IS'.

I tell them it is FULL.

It is my magic heart

FULL of LOVE

with unending room for

More.