This is 50
– pennies, in this case. I took them from my kids’ piggy banks. I had to, because I no longer have pennies in
my life. Somewhere around college they became
heavy and cumbersome, something to be dealt with rather than valued. But to a child, every penny is a
treasure. You put 50 of them in a pile,
and whoa, it’s like the Cave of Wonders in Aladdin.
This is 50
– years, in this case. These two amazing people have been married for 50 years. They’ve had multiple homes, multiple children, multiple careers… as well as innumerable sorrows, immeasurable fears, unrelenting stressors. Together they have found faith, held sick children, and grieved the loss of parents. They have coached and educated, taught Bible lessons and refereed (on the court and in the living room). They have held their own sick adult children. They have loved, wept, danced, prayed, and boy have they laughed together throughout their years.
Just like the pennies, some of their years were bright and shiny. Some were dark. Some old ones still stand out (maybe even more so because of their age), and some are dull and don’t really elicit a second glance. Some years were hard-earned, and I’m guessing there were a few that were so hard it didn’t feel like the “one cent” reward was worth the effort. But some came with ease and giggles of delight.
Mom and Dad, I know that 50 years has been a long journey, and at the same time has flown by. That’s how life is. I’m sure you look at the pictures of your wedding and one side of your brain sighs and says, “it feels just like yesterday” while the other side says, “were we ever really that young?” Year after year, penny after penny, you kept adding to your pile. Maybe you didn’t even know that’s what you were doing, but every September 28, you added a new one – shiny or dark, worn or fresh, dirty or clean, hard-earned or gifted, you kept faithfully adding to your pile.
Since I’ve put these pennies on the counter they have been oohed and aahed over, counted, sorted by years, recounted, inspected, carried, recounted… There’s something magnetic about a pile of pennies – something that beckons their admiration and awe. It’s just too much richness for grubby fingers to pass by.
Can I tell you something? Having this pile of 50 years sitting in front of me is like standing in the Cave of Wonders. I’m overwhelmed by the treasure in front of me.
To a child, every penny is a treasure. To your child, every year is like gold. What a treasure your marriage is to me.
To a child, every penny is a treasure. To your child, every year is like gold. What a treasure your marriage is to me.
