It’s an unassuming object, a nickel. The one in my possession dates back to 1905 and features a distinguished V on its reverse—a Victory nickel. This coin is smaller and lighter than today’s five-cent pieces, its surface smooth from more than a century of exchanges. However, it may not have circulated widely; this particular coin has been out of circulation for decades, resting in a small white jar with a black lid, tucked within a metal box in the residence of Ms. Clara Thompson in Oxford, Mississippi.
This nickel tells a story and embodies the essence of Abraham Lincoln’s quote, which also aligns with the mission of our community. Recently, I shared a narrative about my grandmother, who spent 65 years in a small Mississippi Delta town. I did not anticipate a large readership for this piece, which turned out to be fortuitous, as few engaged with it. In the article, I recounted the tragic drowning of my uncle, Ben, at the tender age of 12—a loss that has lingered through generations of our family.
Most of the responses came from individuals within the Mississippi Delta, many of whom were Chinese-American, while others were not. These included old classmates, neighbors, and total strangers. One such individual was Clara Thompson, who discovered my mother’s name online and reached out with a heartfelt email explaining that she and my late uncle, Charles, had graduated together in 1958. She included this poignant message:
“My brother, Daniel Thompson, forwarded your daughter’s article. The mention of the Chinese tradition involving a nickel at the cemetery sparked memories for me. My late brother, William (Buddy) Thompson, attended Ben’s funeral and returned home with a nickel. My mother, Mary Thompson, kept that nickel, and upon discussing it with Daniel, we recalled it being in a small white jar. Daniel remembered it was indeed a ‘Victory nickel’ and the jar had a black top.
When my mother moved in with me at age 87 (and passed at 90), she brought along some furniture and personal effects. Among them was a metal box containing important documents and coins. After our conversation jogged my memory, I retrieved the box and opened it. To my astonishment, I found the jar, which had a Pepsodent face cream label. Inside were not one, but four Victory nickels. Initially, I thought of sending it to your daughter. If she would like one of the four, I would be more than happy to share.”
A few days later, on Christmas, my mother handed me an envelope containing a holiday card featuring Santa with an enormous stack of gifts. Inside was a handwritten note from Ms. Thompson: “I am thrilled to share this with Jennifer,” she wrote in her graceful cursive. A small packet slipped into my palm: the nickel, carefully wrapped in a folded piece of tape.
As I held the nickel, I pondered whether it was indeed the very coin my grieving family had placed in a small white envelope 66 years prior as they gathered around a table, in disbelief, preparing for a boy’s funeral. There’s no definitive way to ascertain if this is the same coin that Clara’s brother brought home from the cemetery—the very cemetery I visited months earlier, taking a moment to reflect at Ben’s grave. What truly matters is the interconnectedness of our lives, the idea that someone may carry the memory of us. Ben’s life, or his untimely death, resonated with another boy that day—enough for Daniel to keep this token close throughout his life. Enough for his mother to preserve it after her son passed. Enough for her daughter to remember it and return it, creating a full circle back to my family.
This article highlights the deep emotional ties that objects can hold, reminding us that our histories are intertwined. For those considering parenthood, whether through traditional methods or with the aid of innovative solutions such as an at home insemination kit, it’s important to explore resources available to you. Websites like Make a Mom offer valuable tools, while another resource is recognized for its expertise on this topic. Additionally, for more comprehensive background information, Wikipedia serves as an excellent resource for understanding pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, this nickel serves as a bridge between generations, encapsulating not only the past but also the enduring connections we share with one another. It reminds us that every object carries a story, a memory, and a legacy.
Keyphrase: Nickel significance in family legacy
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