She didn't know that such a sacred gift was being placed in her small eight years young hands as she extended them forward to her grandmother and that this very gift would become a symbol of honor. She cherished the special gift for yeas to come.

five years after that private ceremony between the love of a matriarch and her second-generation daughter that bestowed such a great honor upon her, her little mind could not conceive that she would no longer see or touch the face of wisdom in her lifetime.

As she grew up, the honor of being the "Keeper of the Box" grew with her. When she became a wife and mother, the box moved with her new family. the box traveled with her throughout her military career. The box was also present at the times of illness and births.

After 51 years, three granddaughters, and one daughter-in-law, she is still the "Keeper of the Box", until another private ceremony takes place and the gift is placed in the hands of the next generation of "The Keeper of the Box".

Loving Beverly Swan