When someone makes you something that is EXACTLY what you didn't know you wanted

About six months ago, I got into my head that I wanted to get a new bracelet. I wear bracelets everyday and I have a lot to choose from....wooden beads from the temple, ceramic beads from Kyoto, silver bracelets that were wedding presents from my Mom, a Mexican silver bracelet from my good friend Lila, a couple really tacky, yet wonderful "retro" looking costume ones, an Italian Charm bracelet from my cousin when my dad passed away...just to name a few.

The bracelet I was thinking of, I had never seen. I wasn't even sure what I really wanted, but I knew that when I saw it.....I would know it. I did know that I wanted on it one word....breathe....you know, to remind me to do just that in times when I get stressed or upset or when I just need to stop~~and take a break.

I had been reading one particular blogger....an artist in Nebraska and when she got her shop going again in Etsy, I went to see what kind of things she did. (For those of you not familiar, Etsy is a site for artists and designers to sell their homemade things. You can pretty much find anything you want there....if you have an hour or two to spare, go and take a look!!! It's a serendipity kind of place!!)

Anyway, I contacted Michelle after looking at what she had and asked about custom orders. I mentioned the whole "I know what I want but I don't really know what it looks like" thinking and from what I can gather, she saw this as just another of life's challenges....one I am sooo glad she took.

She asked me some questions...tossed some ideas at me (a couple I'm saving for another bracelet...when she's up for it!!)...came to visit me here...and then she got to work. I was so excited about this....and I am incredibly glad that I asked Michelle to do this.

I have been not so patiently waiting for the box to arrive.

And today.....it came.

I carefully opened the box.......

....and nestled in the white tissue paper...was this.....

EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!!!!!

I love the toggle clasp....but, the whimsical bead hanging next to it...that is just the magic touch.

This is the picture that she sent to me after she had finished it.

The story of this bracelet doesn't finish here with a very satisfied customer (one who WILL be going back!!). No, my friends....there is much more to this bracelet.

Michelle mentioned in an e-mail that while she was working on the metal part, one particular song kept going through her head. I didn't know the song so I Googled it to see if I could find it. I did. Here are the words:

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God, Blend all my soul with Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life,
Of Thine eternity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I then went to YouTube to see if there was a video of this....the words to this hymn were so powerful, I wanted to hear the music....I needed to hear the music. I found a couple videos of people singing in the church or small choirs. But one video...was amazing. The song in that video, by the same title, has different words....but.....the meaning is the same and just as powerful...click the link if you want and see/hear.

Like most people, I have had my share of questioning faith. I have seen my faith come and go in waves...sometimes so strong and yet other times almost non-existent. As I listened to the singer....so sure in what she was singing...her own faith almost visible...I read the words that were at the bottom of the video. I sat here with tears streaming down my face....feeling something I have only felt one other time...when I was 27 and it was at the end of the church service, the preacher asked for anyone who wanted to come forward and join the church by being baptised and he would meet them in the aisle to help them along that jouney.....I was almost halfway to him before I realized I had actually left where I was sitting and had started walking.....that's the feeling I had listening to that song.

Maybe what we are talking about is a "being in the right place at the right time with the right friend" kind of thing. I don't know. I do know that the original purpose of this beautiful bracelet has now doubled....

And I do know this: Michelle at Jewelry By Michelle is one of the most talented and creative jewelry designers I have had the pleasure to meet in a long time. Click on that link, or go to her Etsy shop.... see what she's got...you might find something that you didn't know you wanted...or needed!!!

Thanks, Michelle. You're the best!!!