The Guild 11-9-2003 Thoughts Of Finding A Penny

[BigWaveBetty]

THOUGHTS OF FINDING A PENNY

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being

good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever

heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to

spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend,

Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy,

with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her

house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have

this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's

employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest

restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to

indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself

immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that

evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her

husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a

long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on

the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped,

and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and

picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had

found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a

single penny?

Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could

stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had

a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of

some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for

the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies

before!

What was the point of this?

"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words

"United States of America."

"No, not that; read further."

"One cent?" "No, keep reading."

"In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?"

"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.

Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every

single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops

a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him?

Who am I to

pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS

in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that

I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it

were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with

me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk.

I

stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and

fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words,

"In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in

the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful!

And, God is patient....

Have a blessed day!!

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

That's genitals? I thought it was a hackysak.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Oops, regarding his nethers, I forgot to add " Bless his Heart.

[pubmom]

Hmmm.... Either a hackysak or one of the bean bags from the "Toss Across" game I had back in the 70's.

[Endeavor]

Annie - they probably work up to size C. I'm not keen on the idea of gluing up the pups, though. I'd have to take HLL's route.

[Endeavor]

Gore alleged spots that need more protection are exactly the spots we're being told that the terrorists are aiming for now. So when they get hit, Al can pat himself on the back and say "I told you so." Not that it takes any prescience on his part to figure out those are targets.

[mountaineer]

Yet another reason not to take steroids.

[lodwick]

Body building is just wrong.

[daisyscarlett]

To redeem myself for posting those scarry photos earlier, here is a much nicer one...

First lady Laura Bush reads to second graders at Shortlidge Academy in Wilmington, Del. during a campaign trip Monday, Nov. 10, 2003. (AP Photo/Dee Marvin)

[daisyscarlett]

Living in California just gets scarier and scarier...

Waiter, there's a condom in my soup

[MaeWest]

It looks like they rated his genital area. I'd give it about a 3.

So he's not playing billiards with an eight ball in the corner pocket?

[lodwick]

LOL - and the lady's name is Sultan!

You really should consider a relocation, DS; your state is going to slide into the ocean, or something else tragic.

[pubmom]

Lordy, she looks like a man.

[Timeout]

Thanks for the relief of a Laura photo after you put up that frightful horror picture of the-man-who-won-the-popular-vote-in-2000!

I love THIS photo of Laura (at the same event):
A real lady.

[Timeout]

Remember those hideous album covers someone put up a few weeks ago?

Well, Dave Barry went one farther and found the Worst Swedish Album Covers...whattahoot!

It's hard to pick a fave, but THIS one looks like they took a cue from the bra discussion above....

LOL! I think they're all MEN! (it was hard to tell in the 70's)

[lodwick]

Origins of Veteran's Day:

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America's veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day".

Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holidiay 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was "the War to end all Wars," November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.


Armistice Day Changed To Honor All Veterans


Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none was found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside the others. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.


National Ceremonies Held at Arlington


The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The bugler plays "taps." The rest of the ceremony takes place in the amphitheater.

Every year the President of the United States urges All Americans to honor the commitment of our Veterans through appropriate public ceremonies.

[Iowa Granny]

Good Grief about the Album covers.

[lodwick]

My personal favorite from back in the day - too fine.

Keep bringing your favorites, folks.

[Iowa Granny]

why am I not suprised?

[pubmom]

I loved listening to that album when I was about 4 or 5, it was part of my grandparent's extensive record collection. At that time I remember thinking "Why is that lady covered in shaving cream?"

[lodwick]

I guess 'cause you've met me...

Cheers up there.