My mom gave me my paternal grandmother's jewelry box today and all the treasures it contained. The grandmother who died when I was a baby, but who everyone has always said I was just like in personality, temperament, and demeanor. They were dirt poor, but even dirt poor women have jewelry they love, even if it is just glass and cheap metal.

Everyone was right. She and I are a lot alike. Our tastes were anyway. Such treasures that old cigar box turned treasure chest contained. One of the treasures was her Timex watch. Beaten to hell and back and obviously well worn. It's been in that box since she died, nearly a half a century ago. I wound it. It ticked. It still keeps time … cracked crystal and all. When I pulled it out of the box, my mom looked at it and commented on how tiny my grandmother had been and that no one would be able to wear such a small watchband. It's on my wrist now ticking away the minutes. Fits as though it were made for me.

Another treasure was the earrings that match the pink rhinestone necklace I was given when I went to college and which I wore so often. I never knew which ancestor it came from, though I knew it had belonged to someone in the family. Now I know. The earrings and necklace have been reunited. I will find some excuse to wear them soon.

There were all manner of beautiful things she wore and loved, bright and shiny and sparkling. And then there were the tubes of lipstick. Lipstick she used. Avon, the color names and colors still in use today. The imprint of her lips still appear on one of them, even after all these years. I have identical small white sample tubes in my bathroom, and most interesting of all … the exact same shades. I couldn't believe it.

And I learned something I never knew about Ethel. You see, I'd only ever seen black and white photos (and not many of those), so I had no idea what her coloring was. Apparently, not only did she and I share the same skin tone (not everyone in my family does, I'm a good bit paler) she was also a redhead. First mostly natural and later with the assistance of henna. And I have her eyes too. The same shade that can't quite be pinned down as blue or green that changes with the time of day … or mood.

I wish I'd had the chance to know her. I think we would have been the best of friends. But since I didn't have that chance, I'm going to clean and repair her treasures … and wear them. They are more precious to me than diamonds and gold. They are one of the few connections I have to someone I never knew but love so much.