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Article Autor: Tammy L. Williams

I have come to that time in my life when the words, “empty nest” are more than just a dream or fantasy. To be honest I am both excited and frightened. I have spent a great deal of time lately talking to those that have walked through this station of life and I must say – my excitement is dwindling.

As I sat alone this Christmas, (my daughter had flown off to see a friend and my son had to work) I quickly decided that this station of life really is a bummer. As the day went on I could not help but ask – is this how it is all supposed to end?
Have you noticed, or am I looking at it all wrong, that the celebrations of life are directed towards the youth. I always thought that celebrations were those brief “time-outs” to life where you dance around in victory over this tough opponent called life. Why do they end somewhere around the age of 25? Why is Christmas all about Santa Claus and Easter all about Easter baskets and goodies? Why is Valentine’s Day only a celebration of love for the young?

Oh, I know what the books say – now it is time for me to enjoy my husband and to make more time for myself. Well, isn’t that handy. I looked in the mirror this morning and time has not been kind. I not only need time, but money and a plastic surgeon.

Over coffee my husband and I discussed this. I took a look at my husband. I saw those wonderful blue eyes that I fell in love with the moment he cast them upon me. I saw his soft, yet strong hands. Then we laughed and made jokes wondering if surgeons offer a couple’s reunion plan.

As I dressed for the day and went off to work my mind toiled with the idea. Eureka! A new marketing plan; let’s take back the holidays. How did I let a Valentine’s Day become all about making sure something was sent to the school so that my children felt loved? Why was I not focused on making a big celebration out of the fact that I have a wonderful man. How did I let his 44th birthday slip by virtually unnoticed while waiting for his “big 50”?

2008 will be the year of “Back to the Beginning.” Journey jewelry is great for the young, but at this stage of my life my necklace would hang to my knees and end in a 30 carat diamond.

J D Jewelers will begin 2008 with a campaign to celebrate the beginning. This Valentine’s Day a promotion will be announced as we celebrate “Taking back the Holidays by going Back to the Beginning.”

I have not worked out all the details, but I think it’s a great start. Whether this promotion is successful or not I will only have one regret – I did not start sooner; and my hope is that I can prevent just one person from having that same regret.

Tammy L. Williams, Graduate Gemologist of GIA, also prizes her membership in AGTA.  She is President of J D Jewelers, a salon private jewelry business located in Suwanee, Georgia and the Southeastern Rep for Global Diamonds.  Tammy is very active as a speaker and authority on Gemstones and Diamonds.  Whether in her laboratory at J D Jewelers, on the lecture circuit or writing about her experiences in business, her love and passion for gemstones becomes contagious.  If you’d like to contact Tammy, please e-mail her at info@southernjewelrynews.com.