Blessing Bracelets
By Kathleen M. Rodgers
I was all out of words. Faith. Energy. I needed some
magic, prayers, a blessing, anything that would get me working again so I could
complete my second novel, Johnnie Come
Lately. I called out to my friend, Starlene DeBord, a talented artist who
understands the creative process.
She asked me to send her a favorite scene from my work in
progress.
So I sent her a brief scene where my protagonist
remembered an encounter she had with a little bird when she was a young girl.
From that brief scene, Starlene pulled a key line from the novel and etched it
into metal. This bracelet became a talisman for me, and I wore it on days when
I needed an extra boost of inspiration. Some days, I simply placed it near my
computer and glanced at it from time to time, taking in its special powers that
helped me shape ideas and images into a complete story with a beginning, a middle,
and what I hope is a satisfying ending that would stay with my readers for a
long time.
When Johnnie Come
Lately releases from Camel Press in February 2015, I plan to wear my
“Johnnie bracelet” to all my book events. Each time I sign a book for someone,
that bracelet will touch the page and a special blessing will flow forth. At
least that is my belief.
And now here I am working on novel three, a sequel to
Johnnie that I’m calling Seven Wings to
Glory. With one chapter written and a few sketchy scenes scribbled out, I
called on my friend once again. I sent her the premise for the new story, and
over a six-week period she created what we are calling the “Seven Wings
bracelet.” This bracelet is extra special, too, because Starlene knows how
distracted I’ve been since my youngest son deployed to Afghanistan.
With Starlene’s permission, we are publishing a portion
of her letter where she explains the key elements of the bracelet:
The angels form the base of the bracelet. Then I added
the crystals. I chose a lovely shade of green to symbolize the life force of
the angels – that although they are not tied to the earth any longer, they
thrive, exist and LIVE – they are not imaginary, nor static entities. So…that’s
why the green crystals flank the Seven Angels.
Then, being a mother as you are, and not even able to
imagine how your heart must weep and fear each day for your beloved son, so far
away and performing such a brave act, I added an Eighth Angel. This Eighth
Angel symbolizes JP and is also symbolic of the prayer I pray for him each day:
‘Please guide and protect his footsteps with wisdom, strength and fortitude,
and bring him home safely to the arms of those who love him.’
This angel has a shorter (more masculine body) than the
others. I added a heart to the chain in the back, symbolizing your mother’s
heart and how it hovers over that dear Angel, watching him from afar,
constantly.
I hope this bracelet gives you strength—strength to go
on, strength to create, strength to continue your own prayers and hopes. When
you are sad or down, finger each bead like a rosary, then land on that Eighth
Angel, murmur your and Tom’s own prayer for JP, finish the Angel Rosary…and get
back to work. JP is here to protect, correct and serve; you are here to create
and bring us new ways of understanding.
Much Love,
Starlene
Designer Starlene DeBord creates unique pieces of jewelry
utilizing semi-precious gems, natural stones & mixed metals - often using
vintage coins, antique flatware & recycled bullet casings to bring beauty
to the most unexpected component combinations.
