Mark Phillips' Pages: Workbook: 9/24/03: I carry her ring in my pocket.

Jacob Lawrence, "Study for the Ring Cycle" (ca 1972) — Jacob Lawrence, *Study for the Ring Cycle* (ca 1972)

September 24, 2003:

I carry her ring in my pocket. On my keychain, actually. Silver, hand-carved, from her father's shop in Bangkok.

Why?

It's not from affection. Maybe this would change if we spoke, but much of the time I look back on her as oblivious and rude, and I wonder why it took me so long to cotton-on.

Maybe it's to remind me of the fragility of friendships. Like the photos of lost loved ones on the wall by my desk.

Or to suggest that people enter and leave your life, and it's alright that they do. So that the best thing is to love them while you can, as best you can, and be satisfied.

Most likely it's to remind me that someone once loved me enough to bring a gift for me half way around the world.