By : Mutryce A. Williams
Navigating “Island” Parenting is a submission of insights, quotes, tips and parenting advice that I have gathered over the years as a source of inspiration and as tools to deal with the daily challenges of parenting. This week’s issue: Cornelia’s Jewels. The hope is that this submission would cause you to reflect on your parenting skills and also make the journey of parenting a bit easier or brighter.
The pretty scented note read, “When I had my boys, a friend sent this to me, so I am passing it along with the hope that it would really brighten your day. My dearest friend, look at your treasures and always be grateful, enjoy those moments because they won’t last forever.” I smiled and opened the package. It was a few pages with the caption “Cornelia’s Jewels from Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin.”
This week I “paid it forward” when dear friends welcomed their bundle of joy. I also thought that I should share this story with you, as this little story has assisted in defining my attitude to parenting and my sons.
“The most precious jewels you will ever wear around your neck are the arms of your children.” Anonymous
Cornelia’s Jewels from Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin
“It was a bright morning in the old city of Rome many hundred years ago. In a vine-covered summer-house in a beautiful garden, two boys were standing. They were looking at their mother and her friend, who were walking among the flowers and trees.
“Did you ever see so handsome a lady as our mother’s friend?” asked the younger boy, holding his tall brother’s hand. “She looks like a queen.”
“Yet she is not so beautiful as our mother,” said the elder boy. “She has a fine dress, it is true; but her face is not noble and kind. It is our mother who is like a queen.”
“That is true,” said the other. “There is no woman in Rome so much like a queen as our own dear mother.”
Soon Cornelia, their mother, came down the walk to speak with them. She was simply dressed in a plain white robe. Her arms and feet were bare, as was the custom in those days; and no rings nor chains glittered about her hands and neck. For her only crown, long braids of soft brown hair were coiled about her head; and a tender smile lit up her noble face as she looked into her sons’ proud eyes.
“Boys,” she said, “I have something to tell you.”
They bowed before her, as Roman lads were taught to do, and said, “What is it, mother?”
“You are to dine with us to-day, here in the garden; and then our friend is going to show us that wonderful casket of jewels of which you have heard so much.”
The brothers looked shyly at their mother’s friend. Was it possible that she had still other rings besides those on her fingers? Could she have other gems besides those which sparkled in the chains about her neck?
When the simple outdoor meal was over, a servant brought the casket from the house. The lady opened it. Ah, how those jewels dazzled the eyes of the wondering boys! There were ropes of pearls, white as milk, and smooth as satin; heaps of shining rubies, red as the glowing coals; sapphires as blue as the sky that summer day; and diamonds that flashed and sparkled like the sunlight.
The brothers looked long at the gems.
“Ah!” whispered the younger; “if our mother could only have such beautiful things!”
At last, however, the casket was closed and carried carefully away.
“Is it true, Cornelia, that you have no jewels?” asked her friend. “Is it true, as I have heard it whispered, that you are poor?”
“No, I am not poor,” answered Cornelia, and as she spoke she drew her two boys to her side; “for here are my jewels. They are worth more than all your gems.”
I am sure that the boys never forgot their mother’s pride and love and care; and in after years, when they had become great men in Rome, they often thought of this scene in the garden. And the world still likes to hear the story of Cornelia’s jewels.”
Thought
Imagine, just imagine, if only all mothers/parents view/ed their children as Cornelia did? Imagine, how much easier the journey of parenting would be if one’s outlook was one of gratitude? Imagine, just imagine, how much different the world would be if all children were told that they were blessings rather than burdens? I often wonder how many parents consider their children their jewels, their most prized and I won’t use the word possessions, but rather their very own works of art. I wonder how many parents would proudly say that their children are their pride and joy and as Cornelia did, let their children know it. What difference, if any do you think that this would make in that child’s life?
Quotes about children
“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” C.S. Lewis
“Children are living jewels, dropped un-sustained from heaven.” Robert Pollack
“Being a mother is not what you gave up from having a child but what you’ve gained from having one.” Unknown
“Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” Linda Wooten
“Pause and remember the more you stay focused on your blessings, the less stressed your life will be, always remember to kiss your children good night!” Anonymous
Recommended Reading for Children
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, Illustrated by Anita Jeram
I Love you to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth, Illustrated by Tim Warnes
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak, Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church