Dear Animaterra,

Very sorry for the loss of the physical object, but the vibrancy; the sense of intimacy and immediacy you bring to the description of your Grandmother make it clear that she is never further away from you than a single thought; there is clearly a deep connection there that cannot be shattered through any event in the physical realm.

You might consider several ways of preserving the shards...

• Reassemble the two sides of the pot that bear the prayer and mount them together in a shadow-box frame. You'd essentially have two rough, elliptical domes that you could place side by side or one above the other. If you have it, you might incorporate some fabric (a bit of lace, velvet, etc.) that either belonged to your Grandmother or that came from her era, into the composition.
• You might take a curved shard of comfortable size and nicely patterned, file the edges smooth with a diamond file or similar tool and keep it as a "fidget" piece for your pocket or dressing table - a porcelain touchstone, if you will.
• You could edge a suitable shard with the kind of metal foil used in stained-glass work and drill a small hole to fashion a pendant; a way to hold it close to your heart in every sense. (My wife and I also have a collection of small metal boxes, the tops of which are made from beautiful shards of antique oriental vases. A local jeweler or metalworker might be able to design something of the sort for you.)

Others' suggestions in the posts above are equally wonderful, all emphasizing that what has been broken can be transformed.

As for telling your mother, perhaps just telling her the simple truth of what happened, letting your feelings about the loss come through in the telling, is best. Often, incidents like this can serve as openings for everyone involved to remember and honor loved ones who have passed on by sharing heartfelt words and cherished memories.