"heirloom, n. Any valuable or interesting possession handed down from generation to generation."
Many people have heirlooms - a gold watch, its case incribed with the initials of an owner long dead, a revolver, its shiny finish worn away in battles remembered now only in books, a painting, its once-bright colors dimmed with centuries-old varnish. We look at them and they seem to speak to us of the thoughts and feelings of those who cherished them long ago.
Today a brand new heirloom came in the mail. Its silver has the virginal whiteness of new silver which, no matter how carefully and often it is polished, will over the years darken and acquire in its deeper recesses the wonderful patina of age. Its rich leather has the unmistakable smell of newly-tanned hide. The bone is smooth and unblemished. The blade is perfect, flawless, mirror-like, reflecting the graceful parallel curves of the deep dui chirra fullers.
Years, decades, centuries from now, others will hold this heirloom, still marvelous beneath the patina of age, and wonder what thoughts went through the mind of the man who first held it and called it his own for however brief a span of time. They will imagine that he was thrilled beyond words. They will be right.
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Thank you, Uncle Bill, and grateful thanks to Bura and his nephew and any others who had a hand in bringing this heirloom into being. It will continue to bring joy to all who see and hold it long after we are gone.
[This message has been edited by Berkley (edited 02-25-2000).]
