Share your penny story: Betty Peterson

Momentum continues to grow for my book, and I can't believe how far we have come...and just how far we have to go. Frost Bookstore, another local bookstore in Salt Lake, has agreed to carry my book. Located off of 2000 E and 2700 S. Frost is another staple in the Utah book scene. Added bonus-there is a snow cone place in the parking lot, so you can pick up my book and a yummy summer treat to curl up with to stay cool in this raging summer heat.

This weekend, the Deseret News did a review of my book. This is my first encounter with less-than 100% positive feedback for the story, and it kind of made me take a step back at first. I then remembered that although I have put so much into this story and it means the world to me, not everyone is going to feel the same way-and that is okay. I am excited that this review will give me extra exposure locally here in Salt Lake...I just hope that the readers of the review still give the book a chance. As they say in PR, any news is good news, so I am going to look at this as a positive.

Today's penny story comes to us from my mom, one of my biggest supporters. Some of my story actually is based on some of my mom's strong feelings about pennies and I want to share her story with you today.

" Many of us believe our loved ones who have passed on leave us pennies of remembrance. My sister and I agreed she would leave me a sign. I have found pennies in the strangest places and at the strangest times in my life and I always acknowledge Jo when I do with a 'Thank you.' The one time the pennies from Jo blew my mind was on my 70th birthday. My three daughters and I were on our way to lunch at Trolly Square Spaghetti Factory . It was a rainy April day and at the front door in a rain puddle were '7' pennies. It made

me a believer-she remembered."

My mom getting loves from my horse, Copper Penny

My mom is probably one of the biggest supporters of the notion that pennies come from heaven. Similar to the story I mentioned earlier last week, pennies give her the reassurance that Jo is with her, every step of the way.

Pennies from heaven...or not?

I think it is so interesting the expanisive amount of information, sayings, and stories tied to pennies. Today, we will see both sides of a common myth and let you decide. So, do pennies come from heaven...or not?

Margaret Thatcher, England's former Prime Minister once said, "Pennies do not come from heave. They have to be earned here on earth." While the concept of earning your keep shows us the importance of hard work, many have a different theory.

In the June 29th, 2009 issue of Women's World, There is a story titled, "My Guardian angel," and readers were able to share their stories. One story, titled "Pennies from Heaven," a reader shares how while helping her friend sell her mother's house after her passing, pennies kept showing up all over. While showing the house, the potential buyer found a whole handful of pennies, which helped both girls have a good feeling about the buyer.

Three years later, our reader was asked to help sell the house again. With the markets taking a turn for the worse, the woman didn't know if it was possible, but as she was leaving the house, she found a few pennies in the exact same spot she had years before, letting her know her friends mother was still watching over her and the house. Contrary to Margaret Thatcher, they belive, "if you find coins frequently, or in odd places, it's likely that someone you have lost is saying, 'Hello-I love you!' The angels say, 'Always trust the feelings and thoughts that accompany an unusual sighting of coins-they truly are pennies from heaven!' "

So, I guess that leaves it up to you to decide, and maybe, both are in fact true. Nothing can substitute for good hard work, but some times, pennies can be your guardian angel's way of letting you know they are there.

Share your penny story: pennies from heaven

It has been so fun to receive and read people's stories about pennies. Here is one submitted by Caroline Redmond for you to enjoy:

"I once heard that angels drop pennies from heaven, so whenever I see one on the sidewalk I know an angel is looking over me."

This is a great little memory. My mom actually has a similar story and knows that every time she sees a penny, her sister Jo is just checking in on her to say hello. Keep those stories coming!