it's so easy to lose perspective

This latest entry into my journal was going to be far different.

I was going to ruminate on how dissapointing it can be to lose out on a coin that you really want at auction. In the past I have shared my frustrations and joys that I've had while enjoying our great hobby.

I guess "hobby" is the operative word--defined as "fad,whim or pastime". These definitions put a better perspective on how little these shiny little disks matter in relation to the truly important things. In fact, I'd have to say that the truly lasting satisfactions within the hobby come from other things besides the coins. The friendships and people we interact with, how we treat one another, the wonderful chances we receive to do even small things for a fellow collector-expecting nothing in return, --these are the things that make me feel good for days and make me smile each time I think about it. A super coin find, winning an auction, finding a long sought coin--these things give thrills but all too quickly that prize ends up locked away in a safe, box or bank. The kindnesses and caring we do for eachother, on the other hand, seem to multiply.

I woke up yesterday morning with a phone call. While still half asleep in bed, my sister informed me that my mother was getting a biopsy on a swollen lymph node in her neck.

This morning I awoke and checked my favorite on-line sights and read Michael's journal entry. Words cannot express the depth of empathy I feel for my friend right now. The fact that I was mentioned in his heart-wrenching journal entry is one of the most humbling experiences of my life. All of my prayers go out to you and your family right now Michael. I pray that God's mercy and peace envelopes you and your family and helps with the healing of your hearts. I pray that your family can share in eachothers sense of grief and loss and make you all closer and stronger. Grief and sorrows shared are grief and sorrows lessened...

I usually have to stop myself from rambling on and on in these journal entries...but there are just no words to suffice right now to express how sad I feel...

May God keep you, your wife and all of the Cooper kids close to Him through this....

One of my favorites, (Nike aside)..I like to think of this coin as an angel standing on the prow of a ship...guiding it to calm waters and a safe harbour...I'm sure Elijah's now in the safest of harbours--in the arms of the Lord....