Another Man's Treasure

We are always surprised to see what treasures are among the spare change as it goes into the change machine. One of our most memorable collections of spare change came from an elderly man who had been a firefighter. After 50 years of saving his change, most of it pennies, his wife called and asked if we would come and pick it up. Not knowing what to expect or how much spare change we would find, MS and I brought along a few suitcases.

Upon arriving at his home very few words were exchanged. We were told ahead of time he was hard of hearing. When he opened the door to let us in he pointed to two tall black boots and another container full of change that was sitting on the floor. A sign that even though he no longer wore the boots he continued to find a purpose for them.

What he did not realize was that mixed in with the change was baby teeth. Perhaps they were his children's or his grandchildren's. Perhaps he was the tooth fairy on more than one occasion. Whatever the reason, he saved the teeth with the change. This was his treasure chest.

After we emptied the change out of the boots and into the suitcases, we thanked him, shook hands and said goodbye. As we rolled our new collection out to the car we could not help but wonder how much money we had and additionally, how many people would be helped by his generosity. With a grunt, we lifted the cases into the trunk, waved and said thank you again. He stood in the doorway watching us as we backed out of the driveway and began to make our way down the street. Perhaps he was saying goodbye to many years of memories.

I don't know what made me think about this today. Maybe it is because I struggle with the asking. I have to remember that I am asking for those that cannot. I will never forget the look on his face, and the tug MS and I felt in our hearts, as we drove away with his treasure.

And so it continues. I (we) will never stop asking! What's in your pocket? A loaf of bread? A gallon of milk?

Dorothy Goodwin