This has been an incredibly rough few months. The only respite I get is the half hour I try to spend on the computer every night looking at coins.

My wife gave birth to our twin sons in early November--three months premature. They weren't due until February 12th. After 17 days, one of the babies died. The other is still in the NICU at the hospital. They tell me he will be OK, but it's been a looooong, hard couple of months.

Now what does this have to do with coins? Well, after a long day at work, and then going straight to the hospital, the only respite I can get is spending a half-hour here or there on the computer indulging in my numismatic hobby. Looking at the auction sites, seeing what some of my favorite dealers have in their inventories, and reading the comments here in this forum. It's a great escape. I was especially touched by the gentleman whose granddaughter was born early. I, too, planned to put together a set of birth-year coins, and haven't had a chance yet. But it's only a matter of time before I get around to it.

I got into coin collecting because of my Dad. He used to take me to coin shows when I was a kid, and I would save my allowance and buy "BU" Morgans for $3-$4 each. I look at my son, and wonder if the collecting bug will hit him too, so I can pass Grandpa's coins down to him, and take him with me to coin shows like I went with my Dad. My son was so tiny when he was born (1 pound 13 ounces) that I was afraid to even think about the future. Now at 4 pounds 3 ounces, at least I am starting to think about a future beyond the next day for him. Thanks for the chance to vent. Happy collecting everyone!