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Forty Six Cents

Forty-six cents doesn’t seem like much when looking at the vastness of the universe…
It’s the amount of change you might find in your sofa, in your pocket or at the bottom of your purse.

But the other day, behind the counter, selling books in our bookstore…
I realized how forty-six cents can be worth a whole lot more.

It started with a young couple who purchased some books then paid in cash…
(these days a rare event)
They paid with a fifty-dollar bill which meant I owed them forty-six cents.

Pleased with their purchase and filled with a happiness they didn’t try to hide…
“We don’t need the change.” They said. “Pay it forward…let it ride.”

A little while later a young boy walked into the store…with a purposeful, determined look
He placed his purchase on the counter saying with a smile,?“I’ve been saving up to buy this book!”

“Twenty dollars and forty-six cents.” I said and saw the pride within him mount…
as he reached into his pocket and brought his money out.

He un-crumpled on the counter two fives and ten ones…
It was here I saw his face contort…
when he realized he had the twenty dollars…but was forty-six cents short.

I told him about the young couple their generosity and their intent…
then to his twenty dollars…I added their forty-six cents.

He took his book with a smile and a thank you…then he was on his way…
and I hoped that somehow that young couple would know they made that young boys day.

But this story doesn’t end there…in line watching was an older woman from England…
(you know that place across the pond)
who, when she heard the story, was eager to respond.

“I owe you sixteen cents.” I said but with an excitement she couldn’t hide…
“If its okay with you,” she smiled…”I’d like to let it ride.”

I’m not sure where it will end…
this wonderful chain of events….
but I know it began in our bookstore…
and it started with forty-six cents.

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