Paying with nickels

We went to the first yard sale of the season on Saturday. It was true bliss. We found a pressure cooker for a buck and some movies for $.50. Sweet. But I didn't have any money on me, and neither did big d, so he huffs it home. He returns with a pocket full of change. We pay $3.50 in nickels. The girl looked at me like I had sausages poking out my ears, but money is money.

So it got me wondering, what do you pay for in nickels?

Do you even bother picking up a nickel if you see it on the sidewalk. A quarter, yes, a dime, maybe, but a nickel- depends on the mood. When you were a kid, did they have the little candy machines that took nickels and dimes and pennies? We had one at our local drug store. We also could get penny candy there. Swedish fish and raspberries, each for one penny. Or if you have ever been to Wendover or Las Vegas, and seen the slot machines that take nickels, or pennies!?

Just 5 cents here, and 10 cents there. You know it can really add up. Over time, a lifetime of saving a few cents every day could earn you some serious cash. You know, like the life insurance commercials. I remember the time I counted all the spare change we had in the house and it was over $100! Yeah!

But it also made me think about the other things that we do that are small, that we don't realize we are doing. A hug- how much does it cost to you? A smile-what is it worth? A listening ear for 20 minutes? Do you think it adds up the same way? I don't' know. I know that I can pay for a movie down the street from a yard sale, because I can hold it, and break it. But how do I hold time? How do I hold love? I don't have a pocket full of jingling good intentions do I?

So really, each little thing we give away, are we paying for something much bigger? I think so. What do you think it could be? Each time we smile at our neighbor, do you think he adds that up? Do you think subconsciously he marks it down, and eventually a great friendship can be bought? Maybe having our children grow up with a testimony, from all the little nickels of teaching. Or having a spouse to listen to you as you are going through a rough time, from all the little nickels of kindness. Maybe it is a friend down the street who teaches you how to make curry. Whatever it is that we end up paying for, I think it just might be worth it. I don't know, but a nickel is such a small thing, I really don't' think I'd miss it, but I might just miss the things it pays for.