Emily's Future Gift

​Our third invitee to The Blue Bench Series is our first born daughter, Emily. She is sensitive, talented, creative and a dedicated educator. There is no one you will meet that is more giving of themselves and their time than Emily Nicole Ford Mills.

However, being  a first born, she has also inherited some of our obsessive traits. We love her all the more for that. Emily has doggedly set out to know as much as possible about our family ancestry. She has spent countless hours researching and developing the family lineage on both sides. Emily has also compiled numerous family photographs to connect our family stories.
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Emily chose to bring a ring as her object to the session. Her ring is a square onyx, with a wonderful story, as well. I was moved by the fact that she sought to find a similar ring simply because it reminded her of the ring that I wear, a black onyx that belonged to my father. Emily was gifted her ring from a close friend of my sister named Robin Cohen. When Robin found out that Emily was looking for a black onyx ring, Robin gifted her late mother’s ring to Emily. Yes, Robin is just that kind and remarkable. There are so many good people in the world. These types of people should be on the news, not the others.

​My ring is a simple black onyx with a small diamond set in the face. The ring belonged to my grandfather. He in turn gave it to my father.  Then my mother had her great-grandmother’s diamond set in the face of the ring as a wedding gift to her new husband. When my father passed, I began wearing the ring. Just to make the story a bit more interesting, Ann Marie also has a black onyx ring that has been passed down through her family.

While researching the family line, Emily pointed out to me the many photographs in which my grandfather, and subsequently my father were photographed wearing the ring. There’s a lot of emotion tied to this small keepsake. Emily’s efforts also  reminded me of the importance of photography. 

Someday, Emily can retire her new ring and proudly wear the ring I now wear. Better still, she should wear both to honor Robin as well. Hopefully, that won’t be for awhile as that would mean that I am no longer earthly bound.

When she does wear it someday, I hope it reminds her of how much we loved her and how special her life story is. A story that has only begun to enrich those around her. 

Emily has one of the most beautiful singing voices that I have ever heard. I know at some point in her life this gift will manifest itself in beautiful song.

What would you chose to be your object on the Blue Bench? We’d love to hear from you!

John & Ann Marie Ford

P.S. Like her wonderful husband, Corey,  Emily, or Ahh-eee, as her nephew Johnny calls her, is truly loved. In fact, Johnny has told me (secretly) that Ahh-eee is his favorite.