Friendship, Loyalty and Love

One of the happiest days of my life was the night Frank Harrington gave me that Claddagh ring that had belonged to his grandmother and later, his mother. It was beautiful - silver with a pink stone shaped like a heart in the middle. He said I was the best friend he'd ever had, and the best woman he'd ever known...well, besides his mother. Despite the fact that he gave me the choice of how to wear it, I happily chose to wear the pink stone pointing toward my heart. I wanted that relationship with him, and I felt I was ready. Yes, it was the night of Trevor and Stephanie's wedding, and I was a bit heartbroken over losing Trevor, I truly believed it was time to move in another direction. Frank had been so patient with me, and had waited for me. I proudly let him put that ring on my finger that night.

One of the saddest days of my life was the night I pulled that Claddagh ring off for the last time and placed it in a drawer inside a box of mementos. I had just called him because I had something very important to tell him, but another woman answered the phone. I felt like it was time to take the ring off for good. Sometimes I wish he'd never gotten that job in New York. I often feel that's where everything turned sour for us, but he truly is an excellent photographer and, as I always said, a consummate professional. I hated to remove it, but life had changed so much for us since the moment he first placed it on my finger.

So today is St. Patrick's Day, and with Frank's Irish heritage and the stunning Claddagh ring I happily wore for a short time, it's difficult not to think of where we might be now if we were still together. The Claddagh ring has hands, a crown, and a heart which stand for friendship, loyalty and love. I had all those things with Frank, but I know all that's' over now. It was a beautiful time in my life, but I know that ring doesn't belong to me anymore. It's supposed to rain later today, which I suppose is fitting somehow. I mourn what was and what could have been, and perhaps I'll shed a tear or two. Still, wherever he is, whatever he's doing, and whoever he's with, I hope he enjoys the day which celebrates his Irish heritage.