Carrying on Mum's Tradition

Years ago, when I was very young, I remember my Grandmother, "Mum", going through the coins my Grandfather took out of his pockets at the end of each day. Curious, I asked her what she was doing. She explained to me that she was looking for special coins. Special coins? What makes a coin special?

The year. The year her grandchildren were born.

She searched through pocket change for nearly thirty years collecting coins with the year each of her grandkids was born. Having nine grandchildren, you can imagine the amount of coins she collected.

Lined up on a linen closet shelf were nine jars, pickle jars, jelly jars, and olive jars. You name it, they were there.

Some had more coins than others but they all had some. It all depended on what Grandpa brought home at the end of the day.

On some nights, I'd sleep over at my grandparents’ house, take down my jar, and count the coins. While it didn't change by much each time, I remember separating them and being so excited to see them grow, even by the smallest amount.

The jars were given to each of us when we graduated high school.

I'm carrying my Mum's tradition on for Holden and his cousins and one day will do the same for my grandchildren.

I'm also collecting coins with the year I was born, M was born, the year we started dating and were married. These coins I'll give to Holden and his bride on their wedding day.

What traditions are you carrying on?