A bag of sixpences. (Or what love is.)

My father was telling me about sixpences;

(not for the first time,) 

and my mother was laughing, 

as she does.

"He still thinks you ought to be

able to get into the cinema for sixpence,

and have enough change left over for

the bus ride home," she said, 

a fond glance beneath an elegantly

arched eyebrow, warming the room.

"Your father has had that bag of sixpences forever, 

and he keeps hiding it in different places,"

then, Sotto Voce, "but I always know where it is."

I knew as well, as a child had often 

secretly counted each shiny little coin.

Once, when I was eight, hungry for contact,

I had stolen into the inner sanctum of

my father's study;  become too absorbed

in the moment and had been caught, as the

saying goes, with my hand in the cookie jar.

"I know I don't have to count them," 

my father said, understanding my need.

"Looks like I'll have to find a better hiding place though."

a kiss to the top of my head as he took my hand.

"Just imagine if a burglar broke in and stole them."

Outside, a light autumn rain caressed the lawn,

the voices of my mother and father softened,

faded into the backdrop of my mind, as I

stood and picked up the silver framed 

photograph I had known since a child;

secure in the knowledge that

the only secret my father had 

was a hoarded bag of sixpences, 

and that my mother,

as she does, would always 

fill the house with laughter. 

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

This is so sweet and heartwarming. How lucky everyone would be to have had such a loving family to grow up in. I'm a bit like your father now, always remembering how much things used to cost. Up to the age of 12, I got into movies for 10 cents, then paid 5 cents for a small Coke and 10 cents for popcorn. Twenty-five cents in all, a quarter of a dollar.

[Neville]

You wrote love big on this page, and it shines golden.... and silver too of course... Neville

[emmajoy]

These words are to use rarely used words are 'charming' and 'delightful'. So many posts - and indeed conversation, are tinged with irony and perverted wit. Everything seems rough or sharp edged these days.. hurts like hell. Here you have a pocket full to the brim of what mattered, what proved points in the gentlest manner, how parents loved the togetherness of knowing this or that.. and, how a child remembers a 'hoarded bag of sixpences' knew then they were treasure.. and, even more, know they still are. Loved this!

[kitty]

We hold on to seemingly 'insignificant' treasures that kept us intrigued as children until we are parents ourselves we don't appreciate its value in life. A bagful of sixpences was surely significant in my day! Thank you for sharing these memories.

[Ken Simm.]

You won't remember silver three penny bit will you? And then the hexagonal(?) ones that we used to get each week to get sweeties from Mrs Smith's corner shop of a Saturday night. Ah the memories you've brought back with this.

[Chris Shaw]

Beautiful piece of nostalgia here Beccy. Reminded me of my Nan who used to put sixpences and threepence pieces into the Christmas pudding when I was little. This is an endearing memory of your parents. One to resurrect for comfort as and when.

Chris

[Lorry]

Such a beautiful tale, but more importtantly, a wonderful memory to have. I don't know what a bag of sixpences would be valued at today, but it would be nowhere near the worth it had to that child, which would be their own, personal treasure, as well as such a treasured memory.
Superb, made my morning.

[roarke]

and all is right with the world. A wonderful frame B. Enjoyed.

[Gee]

Hope my daughter has memories such as yours.......
Beautifully written ( as always)
Hope you are both well.

[Paul Bell]

Great story.
Inflation has put this up to the two-pound coin now.
But it's great to bring people back.
Now, what do you hoard?

[Beccy]

Moneywise, the new one pound coins. I love the shape, find it difficult to part with them; though I do have the same problem with books, (mostly poetry,) I inherited my grandma's collection and have been adding ever since.

[Paul Bell]

Yeah, the one pound coins are very shiny.

[Gee]

Remind me a little of the thruppenny bit :)

[Paul Bell]

The what. lol

[Gee]

Surely you're not THAT young Mr Bell...

[Paul Bell]

My heart is 21

[Gee]

Transplant at Papworth ??

[Paul Bell]

Winding you up, Beccy. Papworth would transplant my head.