Talisman

The Round Robin Challenge theme this time is "talisman" -- a suggestion of my own that seemed like a good idea at the time, but that proved to be more difficult than anticipated.

Not that my life isn't full of emotionally laden, strange, and "lucky" objects, but most of them show no outward sign of their power, nothing that could be captured in a photograph. Except maybe this.

My grandfather was a Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite. It was never discussed in the family, and I never heard him mention a thing about it, but he always wore a plain gold ring inscribed only with a triangle enclosing a single, mysterious symbol. He would never explain to me what it was. That ring was a source of burning curiosity throughout my childhood, and it probably contributed mightily to my lifelong love for mysteries, secrets, and hidden meanings.

Given all that, imagine my delight when presented with this exotic and beautiful little pin.

I was about to travel alone for the first time, setting off on an adventure far from home and family. My grandmother took me aside and pinned it to the lapel of my coat. She said that it would protect me, because any Mason who saw it would keep watch over me and see that I came to no harm. I don't know if that was true, but it was heady stuff to think that I walked among an invisible, secret brotherhood who would have my back if I needed them.

I don't wear the pin anymore because I think it's really meant only for Masons themselves, and I wouldn't want to offend. But holding it still brings back that sense of magical protection that saw me through my first flight from the nest.


*The other Robins have talismans too. Click here to see them all.