A photographer who declined her father’s offer to buy her a cherished Hermès scarf two decades ago receives an unexpected gift that reunites her with his memory in the most touching way.
At a Glance
- L.A. Brown declined her father’s offer to buy her a traditional family gift – a Hermès scarf – during a 1992 London trip
- After her father’s death from leukemia four years later, she deeply regretted refusing the cherished tradition
- Twenty years later, while again considering purchasing a Hermès scarf in London, she returned home to find one waiting for her
- The scarf, sent by her aunt, was the very one her father had given to her grandmother years before
- The touching story is featured in “The Godwink Effect” by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt
A Family Tradition Declined
In 1992, while visiting London with her father, photographer L.A. Brown faced what seemed like a simple choice. As they strolled through the city celebrating her 30th birthday, her father Phil Brown made an offer that carried more significance than she initially realized. “It’s time I bought you something I’ve given every woman in our family,” he told her, “A Hermès scarf.” This was no ordinary gift but a cherished family tradition passed down through generations of women in the Brown family.
Despite the sentiment behind the offer, L.A. – a free-spirited artist from Martha’s Vineyard – politely declined. “Dad, I’m so appreciative. But, you know me — I’m an artist. I just wouldn’t wear a costly Hermès scarf,” she explained. Her father accepted her decision graciously, and they continued with their trip, neither realizing how this moment would resonate through the decades to come. This choice, made in a split second, would later become one of her most profound regrets.
Loss and Lingering Regret
Just four years after their London trip, L.A.’s father passed away from leukemia. In her grief, the memory of declining his offer to continue their family tradition took on new weight. The Hermès scarf was no longer just an expensive accessory but a missed connection to her family legacy and her father’s love. While processing her loss, L.A. channeled her energy into fulfilling her father’s dream for her career, establishing herself as a successful photographer on Martha’s Vineyard.
Throughout the years that followed, L.A. honored her father’s memory through her work and achievements. She built a respected career in photography, embodying the artistic spirit that had led her to decline the scarf in the first place. Yet the memory of that London day remained, a small but persistent reminder of a tradition she had stepped away from, not fully understanding its significance until it was too late to accept her father’s gift.
An Unexpected Reunion
Twenty years after that fateful day in London, L.A. found herself once again in the British capital, this time with her husband. The memory of her father’s offer resurfaced, and she mentioned the story of the Hermès scarf to her husband, who immediately offered to buy her one. This time, older and perhaps wiser about family traditions, she considered accepting. Yet something held her back, and they returned to Martha’s Vineyard without making the purchase.
What happened next defies coincidence. Shortly after returning home, L.A. received a package from her aunt. Opening it, she discovered a Hermès scarf – not just any scarf, but the very one her father had given to her grandmother years before. The timing was remarkable. Just as she had contemplated reconnecting with this family tradition, the original scarf that represented her father’s generosity found its way to her doorstep, crossing decades and bringing his memory vividly back into her life.
The Legacy of Luxury and Love
The Hermès scarf that found its way to L.A. represents more than just luxury. Founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès as a harness shop in Paris, the French fashion house has evolved into a symbol of timeless elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. Now led by artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas, a sixth-generation family member, Hermès maintains its reputation for exceptional quality and tradition – values that echo the very family tradition L.A.’s father had tried to share with her.
L.A.’s story, featured in “The Godwink Effect” by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful gifts arrive not when we expect them, but precisely when we need them most. For L.A., receiving her grandmother’s scarf wasn’t just about acquiring a luxury item – it was about completing a circle of family love that had begun decades earlier with her father’s thoughtful offer. The scarf now serves as both a connection to her past and a reminder that family bonds transcend time and even death.
