Precious Moment

"Let's make a souvenir!" I told Theresa.
She was somewhat disappointed that I had forgotten the digital camera and the gift shop had run out of disposable cameras. She looked at the penny press machine slowly.

"What is it?"
"Oh... you've never seen one? Let me find some change. We need some quarters and a shiny penny. Go ahead and pick the image you want."

The Precious Moments Visitor Center was unusually quiet and empty for a Sunday evening.
Theresa and I was on our way up to Springfield, MO for our daycare's Christmas program and caroling to our two beloved Bishops. Carthage (where Precious Moments Park is located) was not too far away.

"Sorry, Theresa. This is the shiniest penny the cashier inside had."
Crank, crank, crank.
Theresa giggled at the penny's transformation.

A still figure slid next to us.
He placed two quarters and a very shiny penny on the machine.

We tried to return the money and tell him we were not in need.
He smiled serenely and returned silently to his seat in the lobby.

Crank, crank, crank.
Theresa could give the other coin to her sibling.

We headed for the exit.
The still figure came towards us and without any words, we realized he wanted us to extend our hands. He dropped a shiny $1 Abraham Lincoln coin into our palms.

Theresa bought two Precious Moments figurines that day.
However, the moment this stranger gave us could not be bought.

$2.51 isn't much.
And for that, it is precious.

ps. Side note: The coin has recently been launched on November 19, 2010; one month to when this event occurred. I had been suspicious of its value when it first landed in my hand. ps2.