Grandpa’s Preachings

The greatest lesson in life I ever learned was not taught to me by my mother or my father, but my grandfather. My father was both, father and mother, rolled into one for me.

In June of 1976, my grandfather took me fishing. It was a wonderful day and he gave me two things: one, an old hat made of yarn and Coors Beer cans and the other, a coin. It wasn’t just any coin … it was a coin that would define my life.

“Gina, there’s something I want to give you, and when I do, I want you to understand the value of the gift.” I remember looking behind him wondering where he was hiding that new fishing pole I had asked for. His right hand was clinched and his voice got quiet. I smiled and listened. “In this hand I hold everything that I value.” He told me to open my hand and when I did he handed me a coin.

“A Coin?” I wondered.

“With this silver coin you will have everything you ever need. You are never poor … nor are you ever alone. Keep it in your pocket, and you will feel its weight. It will either weigh you down or make you smile. The choice is yours. Don’t ever sell the coin, nor give it away because it’s the best of what I’ll ever leave you.” When he was done he walked away humming the tune “America,” composed by Samuel F. Smith.

“My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims’ pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring!”

I remember standing there holding the coin thinking if that coin was the best of what he had to give, I knew there was no fishing pole in sight.

On the worst days of my life, I pulled out that coin. I carried it around with me to feel the weight in my pocket. I’ve honestly looked at it for hours… staring to see what he could see that I couldn’t. When I had each of my children he would send no flowers, sign no card, but he would simply hand me a coin. “Gina, when your children are grown … give them their coins.”

Several weeks ago, I went and pulled out my coin. I smiled. He did give me all he had to give. The coin I carry is a 1923 silver dollar. On one side it says: United States of America and E. Pluribus Unum. Turn the coin over, LIBERTY and In God We Trust. The coin doesn’t seem as heavy as it used to because I now know the meaning of my coin.

I am “As one” (United)

I am “Politically organized under one government” (States)

I am “An American” (America)

I am “One of many” (E. Pluribus Unum)

I am “Free” (Liberty)

I am “Agreeing” (In God “We” Trust … my Grandfather and I)

Today I would like to give you a gift. I would like you to put a coin in your pocket and keep it with you. Remember: “With your coin you will have everything you ever need. You are never poor … nor are you ever alone. Keep it in your pocket, and you will feel its weight. It will either weigh you down or make you smile. The choice is yours. Don’t ever sell the coin, nor give it away because it’s the best of what I’ll ever leave you.”

What does your coin say?

Abraham Lincoln was said to have walked back several miles to a store when he noticed he had been given one penny too much in change. I don’t believe it was the penny he was delivering, but the message.