The Spiritual Side of Found Money

Once, while waiting in a parking lot for Greg, I saw a guy pull out a handful of coins and rummage through his change. I thought he was looking for exact change when I saw him casually turn the palm of his hand and release the superfluous coinage. I'm sure my mouth dropped open.

It was as if the change was a nuisance and he was decluttering his pocket. He then proceeded to lock his car and go into the store. Our car was directly in front of his so I could see the whole scene unfold. I waited a few moments trying to figure out why anyone would toss out actual money.

It must happen often. We find change on the ground all the time, but this was the first time I'd ever seen someone in the act. I got out of the car and picked up the unwanted coins. I don't remember how much it was but it was probably close to a dollar.

Does anyone else remember this rhyme?

See a penny, pick it up.
All day long you'll have good luck.

I can't say I ever got good luck picking up pennies, but it makes me feel good. There's even a spiritual side to finding pennies. Supposedly, it's the spirit world letting you know they're thinking of you. I like that thought too. Often people find coins on their loved one's grave stones. ...a message from them to let you know they are well.

I've lost track of how many people who have told me that they've found pennies, dimes, and quarters on the graves of their loved ones. It's really kind of freaky.

All I know is that on some level it makes me feel lucky. I can't even tell you why. It just does.

And if you want to hear something even freakier, I thought I saw our beloved, old Tank in the back seat of our car. We had stopped for kolaches and the car was parked in front of a reflective pane of glass. Greg and I were talking when I saw a familiar rottie head poking up from the back seat.

We had just gotten into the car and we happened to be the only vehicle in the lot. I kept staring at the glass, my brain disbelieving what I was seeing.

Having gone through things like this before, sometimes these images disappear if they think they've been spotted, so I kept staring at the big, old head, squarely behind and between our two front seats.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore, and I looked back quickly. Nothing was there. When I looked back at the pane of glass, Tank's reflection had disappeared too. I was brokenhearted. Tank loved to go for rides, especially if he thought there might be a doughnut involved. :)

It was better than finding a pocketful of change. I think Tanky still visits us from time to time.

Do you pick up change you find on the ground? Do you think your departed pets ever come back to visit you?