The end of a long journey and the beginning of an even longer one

Greetings again, seven months ago I wrote a numismatic tribute to my daughter as she earned her master?s degree. Now in little less than a week on December 19, 2010 my son will graduate college with a bachelor?s degree. The road has been long and hard, but now in the words of my son Jeffrey, ?I want to see what life has for me?.

The coin I have chosen to commemorate my son?s graduation is a 2009 French 10 Euro coin commemorating the 50th anniversary of the European Court of Human Rights. I originally purchased this coin for my ?Inspirational Ladies? signature set because the obverse features Marianne as ?The Sower?. The translation of the reverse had always been a mystery to me before I turned to my son, who was taking French for its translation. In smart-aleck fashion, he replied, ?In the common tongue it means, "One ring to rule them all..." Just kidding. It was really good practice though. If you ever have any more French coins that you want translated, let me know--it was kinda fun. Anyways, it roughly means; "All humans are born free and equal in dignity and in rights. They are given reason and conscience and must act in the spirit of brotherhood".

Jeffrey, I am proud of you and what you have accomplished. I pray God?s richest blessings on you as you begin to forge your life.

For me this represents the end of a journey also, as Jeff is my youngest child. Now with both my children successfully completing their college degrees, I look towards the future and what it has in store for all of us. Therefore, with college tuition out of the way, maybe I will have more money to spend on coins! Then again, the next logical chapter in my children?s life is marriage, and I certainly need to save for that. Oh well, there are a few things in life more important than coins and my family most definitely qualifies! All the best Jeff, enjoy this moment, you have earned it!

Dad.