Back Where They Belong

It has been at least ten years since I have worn my wedding rings. I took them off for several reasons.  I had gained a lot of weight and actually had my first wedding band cut off. We replaced it with a thinner, bigger band.  Then  arthritis attacked my hands, leaving them swollen and with enlarged knuckles. One day I forced my rings off while I still could, and put them away in a drawer. 

Arthritis was a constant attacker in my hands until I had my back surgery four years ago. I couldn't take anti-inflammatory NSAIDs for six months, but surprisingly, my hands stopped being "hot" and settled down. I had also lost weight. While my knuckles stayed enlarged the pain and swelling were gone. Of course, the arthritis struck with a vengeance in other places, but not my hands. 

I had been thinking about my rings in this, our 50th year of marriage, and finally decided to do some research and see what could be done. I read about different kinds of ring expanders and hinges, and then went on line to locate a local independent jeweler who might be able to do the work. I found one in our nearby town of Burien. 

I got my rings out of the drawer, took them in, and the jeweler advised me on what kind of fix would be best for me. I want to be able to take them off easily, since I don't wear them when I am gardening or doing heavy or messy work. 

It took a while, but there was no hurry. Last week my rings were ready for pick up. They are fused together, and there is a slide mechanism that allows for expanding and then closing once I get the ring over my knuckle. 

Now my ring(s) are back where they belong, on my finger. 

That makes me happy.