pennies from heaven

Pennies make me smile.
No, I’m not one of those people with jars and dishes of pennies stashed around the house.
It’s that pennies like me. Really.
I go through periods in my life when they show up, unannounced.
I don’t go looking for my copper friends, you understand. I don’t stare at the ground, shake pants or empty junk drawers.
They just appear. In some of the strangest places.
And literally out of thin air.
I walk by the kitchen counter, nothing there.
I walk back a few minutes later, and there it is, in plain view, winkin’ at me. I move a jar of cream on a bathroom tray and a Canadian penny shows its face.
And I smile. Every time.
Because they are a reminder of abundance.
But also, I know that money is on its way.
It happens every time.
I don’t know how, when or how much. But ALWAYS some unexpected cash comes my way. Without fail.
And I am grateful for whatever it turns out to be.
It may be a long forgotten rebate check, a gift, a miniscule royalty payment. Recently, I learned I was entitled to a small annuity from my time at the Asbury Park Press along with a cash payment.

Of course, I wouldn’t mind a life-changing extraordinary infusion of green, like a big time lottery win.
I allow myself one a week ticket in each of the two Florida games.
This permits me to indulge in my favorite game: Fantasy Philanthropy.
(Full disclosure-a colleague came up with the name.)
When the jackpot is obscenely huge, I imagine myself the holder of the only winning ticket, then estimate the net amount, say $100 million.
Then the fun begins.
I imagine all those I’d like to help and look for unusual ways to do so: paying off various debts, mortgages, setting up trusts to pay real estate taxes, health care, college.
My latest twist is a foundation called Second Acts for those starting over in life. I figure my journalism friends could make use of this, for sure.

I also like the idea of paying off all debt for someone, like a Clean start foundation. Spending big money is big fun. And surprising, a lot of work.

But when I can’t sleep or am stuck in line or whatever, I occupy my mind with thoughts of creative giving, each tailored to a particular person’s personality.

Hey, it’s much more fun than fretting over my own economic woes.
And when the time comes, I’ll be ready.