This is my 45-year-old hand, wearing my favorite silver ring.
I bought this ring at a parking lot market in Greenwich Village when I was about 23.
The friend I was with just returned from a grad school stint in Kansas. When he had left New York for Kansas he was this curly-haired boy conflicted about this sexuality. When he came back and we met up in the Village, he was wearing guyliner, black dye in his gelled hair, and cool suede shoes with very thick soles. And he was out and gay. We had a great time shopping for jewelry.
Our friendship ended but I remember the good times when I see this ring.
For the past several years, I was not able to wear it. My middle finger was too fat. All my fingers were puffy. I'm surprised my wedding ring still fit on my hand.
I've been looking at all my clothing and accessories anew, since I've now lost 33 pounds and dropped 3 sizes. When I found this ring, I dismissed it, thinking I'd keep it but never wear it again. But when I slipped it on my middle finger where it belongs (although I went through a brief shameful time when I tried to wear it on my thumb,) I was elated.
Elation is the feeling I have since becoming lighter. It feels good to be noticed. It felt great today when friends said I looked peaceful. I'm proud of that. It's taken a lot of work to feel less frantic, and weight loss is only part of it.
Also, I can cross my legs again. Not that I should, because doesn't that cause vericose veins? Still, it's a win that I notice, along with the ring on my finger.