Six Golden Coins by Martin Buxbaum

Within a hidden pocket of

A baby’s tiny soul

God’s hand reached in and gently placed

Six coins made of gold.
“I give to each some gold,” said He

And he who does not spend

Will find that only lead remains

Upon his journey’s end.”
I passed the years in childhood

In laughter, love and fun

When I stepped across to manhood

I heard Him saying, “One.”
In pale moonlight I held her close

Her eyes were deepest blue

My heart beat out, “I love her, God!”

He smiled, and answered, “Two.”
One night she whispered, “Yes,” that she

Would be a wife to me

My heart sang to the heavens

And His pleasant voice said “Three.”
Our first child brought me happiness

I’d never known before

And as I knelt to thank Him

I heard Him whisper “Four.”
Years passed and then my grandchild

Made an old heart come alive

And warm His voice that murmured

“That was coin number Five.”
When I spend the last He gave me

It’s then I know I’ll see

The Kingdom of the One who gave

Those precious gifts to me.

I can't mention my dad (see my previous post) without including his favorite poem, "Six Golden Coins" by Martin Buxbaum.

I used this poem to tell him I was pregnant with Katie. I gave Dad a gossamer bag that held six golden coins (those Sacajewa dollars) and a copy of the poem. When I returned home from that visit, he sent me a letter saying, "You are wonderful! Your news has made 'an old heart come alive.' Thank you! Every child is special and every grandchild somehow fills a 'hidden pocket.' You have made mine heavy with joy and abiding happiness." Dad and Maureen (my stepmother) were at the hospital when Katie was born. Dad held her for the first time, then handed her back to me with that same gossamer bag tucked into Katie's blanket.

I also tucked a copy of the poem in his coat pocket as he lay in his casket. And every time I visit his grave, I tuck another gold coin into the ground around his headstone.

When Jackson was born, my sister was in the operating room. I put one of Dad's golden coins (from the gossamer bag) into a special coin charm holder, and my sister pinned it to her scrubs. So, in a way, Dad was there for the delivery too. On the way home from the hospital with Jackson, my sweet husband turned on Dad's CD in the car, and we listened to him read "Six Golden Coins."

I decided to name my blog after this poem. We are all given a precious gift at birth, and all have the ability to "spend" that gift as we grow and learn, laugh, cry, and love. I pray that the way I choose to spend my coins is pleasing to God, and makes the best use of what He gave me.

See also: Like Father, Like Daughter