THE CROWN JEWELS

Imagine being stranded on a deserted island without any internet. 🏝 No texting. No Instagram. No social media at all. Hoo-Boy, talk about going bonkers! I mean let's face it, these days cell phones📱are like a supplemental oxygen; we can't breathe without our phones. 

As for me, I'd be okay if I could have one particular thing with me on that island. A good friend. Preferably a friend who's known me for years. One who knows all my quirky hang-ups, and peculiar ways. A friend who can talk the same crazy-girl language like my one friend, Judy, the red  head 🦰 who moved in across the street from me at the age of ten.

Growing up, Judy had to go solo at a school dominated by classmates with all the basic hair colors: light brown, medium brown, dark brown, and yellow blonde. Hair colors we all thought everyone should have. Except red. Once Judy tried misting her hair with a bottle of Sun-In. A spray-on that promised to turn your hair blonde after sitting outside in the hot sun.🌞 For hours!! Except for Judy, the product never worked. Instead, she remained a fun-loving Lucy Ricardo red head. Not exactly a preferred look at the time. That is. . .until we went to England in 1994.

As soon as we landed, those British took to Judy as if she were Buckingham Palace royalty, the way they went completely "gaga" over, what they referred to as, "Sarah Ferguson red curls." Those Brits were completely smitten with red hair. I mean, who knew? 

One day we walked past a fire station, 🚒 as a group of fireman were loitering around outside. One look at Judy, and they hurried over as if her flaming red coif was on fire. 🔥 They were royally polite as well as completely smitten by an American woman and her gorgeous red locks, 

        My royal friend, Judy, the beautiful red head.

After that we ventured over to view the famous Crown Jewels. One hundred and forty-two objects used in royal ceremonies since 1661. Every item there was designed with 23,578 gemstones total. Geez, talk abou fancy-schmancy. 😲 There were seven sovereign crowns, six consort crowns, along with six swords, and six golden scepters. I wondered what those golden scepters were used for? Perhaps they waved it around while talking, or thumped you on the head if you disrespected the queen. 👑

All those royal doodads have an estimated worth of 4 billion dollars. FOUR billion!!! 🙀

I remember the way Judy and I stood in awe, suddenly feeling like poorly dressed peasants in front of all that wealth. Even with Judy's amazing red hair, we felt lacking in royal worth.

Judy and I have been around a long time, although not as long as long those ceremonial jewels, but during our lives, we've learned one great truth. God has sure blessed this world with some amazing jewels. But not the ones they keep locked up in the Tower of London. Rather it's the priceless jewels he created called friends. The amazing people in our lives, the oxygen for our souls, which is how we survive our earthly visit.

                   Photos of my crown jewels:

                    My 6th grade friend, Debra

                   My oxygen therapist, Vicky

                   

              My two amazing writing partners: 

             Genevra Bonati & Sondra Umberger

                                Me & Judy

                          

Anna J. Wise

Mercy Me