I was about eight; it was the late `50s, when ponytails, poodle skirts and saddle shoes were all the rage.  Another accoutrement of the `50s which never became quite so iconic was the charm bracelet.  For those who don't remember them, girls would collect tiny gold or silver mementoes (charms) from travel, special events, sentimental occasions, and fasten them onto a bracelet.  Of course, the goal was to have a wrist dripping with souvenirs, demonstrating what a fabulous life you led.  

But I grew up in a deeply evangelical family who didn't buy into secular fads and trends.  Except, of course, that they did.  Just with a twist (think Christian heavy metal here).  So the church I went to ordered up a batch of cheap gold-tone "Ten Commandment charm bracelets" to give out as prizes to the kids in Sunday School who memorized the most Bible verses.  Now, I had a knack for memorization, so I always won the contest; hence I had come to be the proud owner of an awesome collection of really junky Ten Commandments charm bracelets.

Then one day my piano teacher approached me with exciting news.  The local chapter of the DAR had asked her if one of her students would perform at their annual luncheon, and she had picked me.  The appointed date came, and I played the piano for them.  My only memory of them is that they were very nice and very old.  After I finished playing, they thanked me and presented me with a gift in appreciation.  Ooh!  Now we're talking!  I opened the box, and there, nestled in the cotton padding, lay .......  a Ten Commandments charm bracelet.  Arghhh!

It wasn't until I got home that I looked a little more closely at the bracelet.  Wait a minute - something was different here.  I started on the first of the ten little gold disks.  Instead of "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," this disk said, "Freedom of religion, speech and press."  I went on.  "Freedom to bear arms," "Freedom from military occupation," "Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure," "Freedom from self-incrimination."  Huh?  Remember, I was only eight years old, and while I was a strong reader (and great memorizer), I was in a little over my head on the content.  But I knew one thing - instinctively and immediately KNEW it - this bracelet was waaaaaay cooler than the "Thou shalt not" ones.

So did my introduction to the Bill of Rights by the DAR change my life?  You know, I'd like to think so.  Obviously, I would have learned about the Constitution at some point, and the power of its ideas would have made a profound impression on me no matter when I was introduced to them. But the sense of pride I felt when I was eight years old and wearing my Bill of Rights charm bracelet has never quite left me.