The Necklace

My grandmother and I always had a close relationship to each other. I always loved going to my grandmother's house. Every time I walked in the door for a visit, she
would have fresh chocolate chip cookies in the oven. That was probably one of my favorite smells growing up. When I was smaller, we would go to the beach, or she would
take me to play at the park. One of my fondest memories as a kid is one of the times I went to the beach with my grandmother. I had never seen one before, but I
saw a sand dollar lying on the beach. I took it to grandma, and she made it into a necklace for me.

Now, the years went by, I grew up, tried new things, but grandma was always there for me. I would always look forward to walking into the door, seeing her smile at me,
saying hello and then asking that one question "Want a cookie?" One day, however, she was diagnosed with cancer. I was worried, worried I would never see my grandma
again. When I heard that she wouldn't make it, I was devastated. Completely, and utterly, devastated. It felt like my entire world came crashing down. I would never
get to see the shining smile of my grandmother, greeting me as I walk in the door for another visit.

I mourned at the funeral. I mourned after the funeral. I mourned. The things I had to remember her by were few. I remembered her by the sweet memories of times gone
by, of the smile she would give me, of the times we would go to the beach, or the park. I also had that one necklace, the very necklace she made me. That necklace is
very close to my heart. I vowed I would never lose it, if I could help it. From then on, that necklace, was the most valuable thing in the world to me.