“The spouse must never remove a wedding band from the left hand ring finger.”
That’s sound philosophy, but there can be unforeseeable circumstances. It happened to us several years ago when we fell off and broke our arm. Same thing occurred when the boss suffered a fracture lifting a tire onto her hay truck.
Both times, the doctor took a quite small pipe-cutter-like-devise and removed our rings from extremely swollen fingers.
Reflections of more than 43 years ago when it all began come to mind. A broke college sophomore cowboy, typical hat and dingy boots, walked into the fancy store to make the ultimate-ring purchase.
Smirks were apparent as the tightwad made selection. But the jeweler, we recall as if today, was sure glad to make a sale, even if we had to charge it, because we didn’t have any money.
Fortunately, the farm girl accepted the ring when we made the offer. Then, she never took it off, although some diamonds were lost, and the band wore through, or nearly so.
A coworker suggested us replacing it for her as a nice gesture, we truthfully hadn’t considered. But, it was good advice, and we went to the place of original purchase.
Same counterman with same sneer assisted us, advising something a bit tougher for a working rancher.
Demanding a centered diamond, this time it was tightly embedded in the gold piece, as to not be caught during a cowwoman’s tasks. And, the band was considerably heavier, so it wouldn’t wear through from strife about to be endured.
Believe it or not, this time we had enough funds to make the purchase. Or at least, we wrote a check on the hometown Kansas bank, and it didn’t bounce.
Although wear was apparent as her left hand continued daily chores, the band lasted about as long as the original. That is, until the doctor destruction.
It was awhile before finger-size became normal. Then, after welding the band, retightening the diamond, back on her left hand is the ring, an unending circle symbolizing eternity while outwardly expressing an inward bond of two united as one.
Reminds us of Jeremiah 2:32: “A bride cannot forget the significance of a wedding ring.” Thus, Psalm 119:144: “Your righteous testimonies are everlasting, and your decrees are binding to eternity.”
+++ALLELUIA+++