I'm a perfectionist. I've come here multiple times to write about this collection and deleted every version, and if it weren't for the mounting pile of To Do's I'd probably still be fiddling with outlines and structure.
The Odyssey collection is a tribute to my great great grandmother Lucy Miller. She was born on the continent of Africa, stolen from her home, held captive on a boat, and sold to a plantation owner in Alabama. It quickly became apparent to her that she'd never see her mother or her home again. Lucy joined a group of slaves from her plantation and escaped. Hiding by day and traveling by night, she made it to Texas where she met her husband, Ben. They built a life together, had children, and put down roots in Oklahoma where multiple generations of my family and father were born. Lucy was described as a fierce woman. Introverted and stern, she didn't take to other adults very much, but it's said she liked children. She wore a knife around her neck that she'd allegedly throw at people on occasion.
I'm 33 years old. 33 years of life on this planet, and the first time I heard about Lucy was last year at 32. So much time has been spent yearning to know this history. For obvious reasons there aren't many records, and as a family grows it spreads. Photos are misplaced, histories are lost, the ones that remember pass, and all that's left are questions. If it weren't for my parents making it to a family reunion where they received a letter from an elder relative, we may still be seeking answers.
When I read the letter about Lucy I wept. I wept first in celebration of learning something new, then with the sadness of knowing the life she had to live, and then with awe knowing how incredibly strong she had to be. Her blood flows through my veins. I never met Lucy. She passed in 1959 at the age of 103. I can't say that we'd have liked each other, that we'd get along, or have some kind of understanding. But I still wish I could have protected her, comforted her, or provided some of the peace and love that she deserved. I wish I could give back the life that was stolen from her. Give back the dreams she didn't get to have or see fulfilled.
I can't do that, but I can make sure her story is shared. Jewelry is my language, and this collection represents the protection I want to give. Odyssey is an expression of love through jewelry, and a way to pay homage to my past. Each piece is armor for the journey when you need it most.