By Rosie Preston
Every day, I wonder if I will ever feel wise.
I think I’ve reached the Golden Years, and I’m remembering the days when children listened to their elders and did not question a word they heard. I’ve found that my children will listen and roll their eyes. They don’t believe my memories have any value. Sometimes, however, they will answer me with advice, and I often learn from them.
Just a few weeks ago, someone sent me an e-mail about the value of a penny. Since then, I’ve changed my perception of the one cent coin.
When I was a child, my grandmother bought me a white purse covered with a penny print. She told me to fill it up with pennies, since they were a good luck charm. I did so, and the purse was soon heavy. It was difficult to save a penny, too, as stores sold penny candy. Life was simpler back then.
A penny is still a penny, but its value back then bought more than it does in today’s world. It was also a time when no one would question the words IN GOD WE TRUST inscribed on it.
Those words in today’s world are often disliked, but many of my friends count them as a blessing, because they are a reminder that we live in a country that is free and that no one has stopped us from following the religion of our choice.
Perhaps there is a bit of wisdom I can pass along as I connect this story about an e-mail, a penny and the wisdom of a grandmother. Just one small penny seems insignificant, and a penny can be a real bother after saving so many.
The coins may be a burden as they become heavy, but they represent much value.
We are like that. We feel big, we feel powerful, sometimes we feel wealthy and successful, and yet we all share the same fate. Just as the ant has a short life when compared to ours, our lives are short when compared to eternity. You may consider a penny anyway you choose.
Think of the many lessons that one penny can bring. I’m reminded of another wise saying: “Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck.”
A few of my other favorite quotes about the penny are “finder’s keeper’s, loser’s weeper’s” and “a penny saved is a penny earned.”
You may either choose to perceive the penny as a blessing or toss it away as something that has little value.
Keep smiling, Rosie
The journaling book is in progress, so send your stories to rosie.preston@yahoo.com.