this week’s it begins with a colour theme was circle. 

the humble penny.  my new hero. 

for all you  stay-at-home mamas out there, I don’t have to tell you how we watch these little guys like hawks–though it’s been awhile since I had really studied one. 

1976. 

I fished it out of my son’s mouth this morning and we stuck it in the penny jar together.  I know that it’s been around for jimmy carter, the bi-centennial of the united states, ronald reagan, the cold war, the challenger explosion, grunge rock and flannel shirts, bill clinton, economic surplus, both george bushes.  and now it bears witness to our first african american president.  (I think abraham lincoln would be pretty pleased with that, I really do.)

but how many states has it seen?  how many times has it been fished out of the mouth of a child?  dropped in the street and left behind?  scored as a lucky penny? 

I imagine all the jars of change that are being traded in for dollars in these rainy days and I think of the humble penny.  steadfast and unnoticed, quiet and small.  and I know that america is going to be ok. 

because if it takes bringing a nation to its knees to reclaim the simple things in life,  it just might be worth it.  the countless tales of people getting laid off and starting up tiny home-based businesses, succeeding at ”what I’ve always wanted to do.”  the dads spending time with their children–at the doctor’s office, the park, the library–all in the middle of the day because they’re not too busy with work anymore.  the idea of supporting the work of fellow americans becoming popular once again.  these are small and valuable tokens of humanity.

I see old pennies resurfacing from long slumbers in jars and they quietly bring good things.  like always.

**ps:  the “I like you America” category was inspired by my pal Carrie at Rhubarb Sky, who is totally awesome.  Check out her Etsy shop too.

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