by Mark Weinrich

When I was six or seven,
I began a ritual that carried
on through my elementary years.
I loved finding the first new penny
of the new year, whether 61’ or 62’
it was something special, all
shiny and new, with the date
stamped fresh and clean.

It was like a birthday present
to myself, and often traveled
through the laundry. “Mark,
why is there always one penny
in your pocket? Mom asked.
I really didn’t know, or realize
that billions of shiny, new pennies
were produced every year, probably 
as many as the world population then.
But like Jesus leaving the ninety-nine
to find the lost sheep, that search and
discovery brought happiness to me, like
the celebration when Jesus found the 
wayward sheep. And among the billions 
when I was sixteen, He found me. 
And while the angels rejoiced, 
I was made shiny and new, 
as if I was the only one.

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Mark Weinrich lives a creative life as a writer, photographer, musician, and artist—all wrapped together in an outdoorsman. He is a retired pastor and nine-year cancer survivor. His writing and photography have appeared in over 130 news stand, inspirational, and literary publications. He has sold eight children’s books and currently has two fantasy novels on Kindle.