09/08/2026
Yesterday, while my hubstar and I were replacing cedar shakes on our house from a boom lift, I had an overwhelming feeling of my dad, Big Joe.
The lift felt a little like a roller coaster, which made me wonder if I could still ride one at this age without losing my cookies. That thought took me straight back to Dollywood, where my dad, who hated heights, rode the water flume with me. Honestly, nothing short of a miracle and it’s such a strong core memory I have of him.
My dad passed away in 2015, but funny how a boom lift can bring someone right back.
He was also the person who taught me how to play sports, and, quite literally, to keep my eye on the ball. Maybe that’s why the simple round shape of my Bottone earrings and necklace feels so familiar.
Sometimes jewelry holds more than we realize.