The Star Sapphire

When Grammy (Ella McKinnon) died, Pop gave Charlene her wedding and engagement ring and he gave me her Star Sapphire. I was thrilled because I was there when Pop gave it to Grammy. Because my mother taught school, I stayed with Grammy every day.  I loved her so much.  I wanted to grow up to be just like her. Since she was a good cook, decorated cakes, and made homemade hand-dipped chocolates, I  wanted to learn how to do all of these, too.

One afternoon when I was about four, Pop came home early from the bank. He found Grammy and me in the back bedroom where I was helping her change the sheets.  Pop got a small blue container from his pocket, opened it, and put the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen on Grammy's finger. To show how amazed I was, I pretended to faint and fell to the floor.

Ever since the day of her funeral, I have worn her ring every day as a reminder of what a wonderful woman she was and also because the star in the ring teaches me an important lesson in life.  When I am indoors, I cannot see the star unless there is a very bright light shining directly upon it--even then it is not that brilliant.  When I go outside, the star is still not visible on a cloudy day, but if direct sunlight shines on the ring, the most brilliant star pops out of the ring giving it an almost three-dimensional effect.

On December 20, 1964, I was attending church in my home ward in Price, Utah, since BYU was on Christmas break. Price Second Ward had several very bright chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in the chapel.  I casually looked down at my ring and was surprised to see at least 3 different stars in the ring.  None could compare to the one brilliant star that sunlight could produce, but there were 3 discernible stars in the ring, just the same.

At that moment, Grammy's ring became a metaphor of my life.  I found a piece of paper in my purse and wrote the following poem as I sat in Sacrament Meeting that Sunday before Christmas.

                       The Sapphire

I walked into a court of kings one day.

I thought of one who came to earth--they say

Of humble birth and yet became a King,

A man so great He cause the Heav'ns to sing.

But I knew not this Master they called Christ

And who was said to have been sacrificed

That all mankind may live eternally.

My heart cried out, "Oh, what is Christ to me?"

I knelt before the king seated on his throne

and asked,

"Just who is Christ,this Man whom Thou hast known?"

Then silently the king removed his ring

And placed it on my hand, that it might bring

To me the truth of what I wished to know.

I gazed upon the gem and watched it glow.

I walked into a darkened, dismal room

And watched my ring intently midst the gloom.

Its brilliant colors seemed to slowly fade

As I did leave the light to seek the shade.

I left the gloom and soon beheld a sight

Where many chandeliers of brilliant light

Were hung along a crooked tangled row.

To my surprise an image seemed to grow

Within this blessed ring that I did wear.

Not just one star but several were there.

The true significance was still not clear

Until the glow of an exalted sphere

Was captured by a single dazzling star

Which surpassed the glorious sun by far. 

My life is like unto this hallowed ring

Given me by the wisdom of a King.

Satan's angels bring not the slightest beam

Of truth; they hide even the smallest gleam.

Too many treasures can only result

In a blurred image of toil and tumult.

The direct of light of Jesus Christ must be

The one way to bring out His Star in me

And with His help, may my soul's star be seen.

Christ is my Light, my Redeemer, my King!

          Written by Bonnie Sorenson, Age 20