I distinctly remember when the woman who worked at Francis Asbury Manor told us the story about Grandpa Jake asking for his change in dimes and I remember thinking to myself, these people know so much about him that we would've never known. Who would've thought he was saving his change in dimes, so he could treat the residents of the Manor to peppermint patties?! We always knew he was generous and thoughtful, but dimes? Peppermint patties? Adorable. I also remember her telling us how hard it was for her to tell the dining room full of residents that Jake has passed away. She said again how difficult it was; more than others. That's when she told us that while she was telling the residents, she looked down and on the carpet was a dime. That's what reminded her that he was still there; and that's what reminds us every day that GRANDPA JAKE IS STILL HERE!

It was a long time before I found my first dime. I wish I could remember which instance it was. All I do remember is everyone was finding dimes, and it took a while for me to find my first one. Once I believed in this, I was finding them all over. Here's a brief list:

• I was walking up to the locker room at the end of my day when Dad had called. I took the call and was telling him what a long day I had. That I was overwhelmed with school, discouraged, and fatigued. Right there, on the floor, was a dime. I definitely wasn't looking for one either (admittedly, I do sometimes). You'll never find a dime when you're looking for one.
• Edward was serving as a Eucharistic Minister for the first time and I was watching him from a pew. I looked down and there, on the floor of the church, was a dime. I picked it up, but since the collection basket had already passed, I placed it in the poor box.
• Edward and I were both serving at Mass so we were sitting in the first pew of the church. Right in front of us, on the floor, a dime. Picked it up at the end of Mass and Edward dropped it in the poor box.
• I was studying for a midterm exam on 10-29-09 and Aunt Fran was just recently diagnosed with cancer. Mom was on her way to Delaware with Aunt Marie and Uncle Al and when I picked up my books to study, out fell a dime.
• Ed, Cole, and I were out at Benny Tudinos for pizza one night and we were having a lovely conversation about our future. We were talking about our careers, where we would move to, etc. While Ed stayed outside with Cole, I walked inside the restaurant to pay the bill, and there on the floor - a dime.
• Christmas morning 2009, I found two dimes at the bottom of my purse.
• Walking home from work one night, I heard change fall as if it fell from the sky. Immediately I looked down, there at my feet was a dime - and there was no one in front of me who would have dropped it.

So, that's where I'm at in my collection of stories. I have been keeping a little diary of these events since I believe the occurrences are more than coincidental. I think Edward had a wonderful idea and thank you to Kelly for executing it! Love you all!