Day 380

Some individuals believe that, when you find a penny, an angel is sending love...or something along those lines. I never really gave it much thought until I lost my father. After Dad passed, I found pennies everywhere! Sometimes they would show up in the strangest places and often when I was thinking about my father. I started to take notice.

After my father died, my mother started to slip into dementia. We supported her at home and would often take her on outings. Her favorite place to go was the old K-Mart in town. As Mac would say, we would walk through the door, take her off her leash and set her free. She would happily wander the aisles until it was time to regroup and head home. At that point, her shopping cart held many "treasures". From the assortment, we would try to place only the essentials (plus a few prizes) on the counter for Mom to pay for and take home.

One day, I was solo with Mom in her Happy Place and, when it was time to go home, we headed for the check-out. I was feeling magnanimous, so I decided to let her keep all of the items from the cart. Believe me, it was quite the assortment! When it was time to pay the bill, Mom took out her "long money" (Asher's term for bills) and said, "I hope there is enough." Well, it was far from enough! Reaching for my billfold, I silently called to Dad and said with a smile, "You owe me for this one!". Looking on the floor, I saw a shiny penny. I then said, "You have to do better than that!" Looking again, I saw a quarter! "Thanks, Dad!"

After my mom passed, I decided that Dad was heads and Mom was tails! It was simply a fantasy and a way to keep them close.

When my dear, senior friend, Ohrn was in hospice, we joked about the coin encounters. He asked me what he could do to show me he was doing well when he was gone. I laughed and told him to leave silver coins. He joined in on the fun and told me he would see what he could do. After his funeral, we headed down for a good, old, Minnesota luncheon. Reminiscing with two of Ohrn's friends, I happened to glance down and see a nickel! That was only the beginning! They just kept appearing when I needed his warm hug the most.

Just today, Ranger and I were visiting in Memory Care and literally making the rounds. The residents were in a large circle and Ranger shared that Golden love with all who reached for his big head. On our second trip around the circle, we came to a gentleman who hadn't been alert on the first round. Awake now, we had to wiggle our way between wheelchairs to allow him access to our boy. Ranger complied and, as I was encouraging the Golden to get a bit closer, I looked on the ground and there were two pennies...one heads and one tails. Something told me we were doing the right thing!

Pennies from Heaven or careless people reaching into their pockets...I chose to believe those coins are a message from those who still love me, but can't enfold me in a hug. If I am wrong, there is no harm done and I get to share a smile with anyone seen or, perhaps, unseen.