My Father would have been 91 years old today. He passed a few years back and my Mother gave me his ring. It is ironic, being that I am a Quaker, that this tiger eye ring features a Roman soldier. These rings were popular back in the 1940s. My Father was a soldier. He served in the Marines, Navy and Army through World War II and after.

For me this ring signifies sacrifice. He was willing to put his life on the line to safeguard the world that he lived in. We all live in our times and make choices about our lives in that context. Who is to say that I would not have done what he did given his circumstances?

When I wear this ring I have to consider what sacrifices I am willing to make to safeguard the world that I live in  today? A different world…political extremism, climate change, a host of problems. I can do my small part to make the world a better place. This ring reminds me of that. Happy birthday Dad.