Diamond earrings from my 7 year old son

A school trip was scheduled to Kolkata from Ranchi . ( I'm talking about the late 90s) .. My younger son was full of excitement because he was included . His class teacher liked him, and he was a well behaved little boy, she had promised she would take special care of our precious when he was away from us for the first time. I'm sure she promised all the parents that but we were reassured .

5 days were long days, and we didn't have cell-phones then. The day Allan was supposed to return I had some program in school, I couldn't take leave but my husband promised to stay back. Kolkata trains rolled into Ranchi midmorning . Around 11 o'clock I was called to the school office , there had been a call for me, and the caller would call again in ten minutes.

The phone rang. It was Allan. I was all choked up to hear his voice after 5 days. He was full of excitement about what he had done and seen, but he was calling to tell me that he had bought me a gift. I said, “Haan beta? Kya laaya?” (Yes son, what did you bring?)

“Diamonds, mumma. I bought diamonds for you!” His voice couldn't contain the pride and thrill of his first grown up purchase for his mom. “ One man came selling jewellery on the train and he had lots of diamonds. I bought diamond earrings for you. He asked for 75₹ but I had only 50₹ but when he heard I was buying for you he said 'oh ma ke liye le rahe ho, theek hai 50 ₹ hi de do'( oh you're buying for your mother? Then it's ok, you give me 50 only, it's enough) so ma I got diamond earrings for you”

I sat down and cried. My little baby gave up his last bit of money and denied himself train treats and was thrilled that his mom would wear diamonds.

I had them for years. Wore them constantly . They were not costume jewellery, they were sparkly bits of love and a constant reminder of how blessed I am.