The burglar made off with every piece of jewelry I owned. Everything

My wedding ring was stolen during my seventh year of marriage. There had been a string of muggings in my neighborhood, so to play it safe, I stopped wearing my ring in public.

But when I came home one afternoon, I saw the kitchen window had been pried open. A cat burglar had gained entry into my apartment by climbing up the fire escape and through the window that faced the rear of the building.

Nothing appeared to have been disturbed, until I went into the bedroom. There, I discovered my jewelry box had been plundered. The burglar made off with every piece of jewelry I owned. Everything.

My collection of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets were all gone, including the wedding ring I left at home for “safekeeping.” He also carried off the ring my parents had given me for my bas mitzvah.

That ring had been my first piece of gold jewelry, and it marked my transition from childhood to adulthood. It symbolized my parents’ love for me, and wearing it made me feel beautiful. The aquamarine gem, my birthstone, was emerald shaped and set in 14-karat gold filigree. The stone sparkled like sunlight dancing across the surface of the Caribbean Sea. I never grew tired of wearing that ring; it always brought me joy.

After the burglary, we replaced my wedding band. I chose one that was wider and more ornate than my original ring, which according to Jewish tradition has to be a plain gold band.

But my bas mitzvah ring was irreplaceable. Its sentimental value was priceless, and no other ring could ever evoke the pride I felt when looking at my bejeweled finger adorned by my parents’ bas mitzvah gift.