Cindy La Ferle’s Home Officea window on the writing life

Courage in our pockets

Cindy on October 4th, 2009

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of the one who has it.” –  Proverbs

It was one of those simple gestures you remember for years.

I was sifting through the day’s mail, just a week before I was scheduled for major surgery. Hidden between the bills and catalogs was a small envelope from Miner’s Den, a Royal Oak business I’ve patronized for ages. Expecting an ad for a jewelry sale, I was surprised to find a personal greeting card with a guardian angel coin inside. Also included was a short poem titled “Angel in My Pocket,” which explained, in so many words, that I could count on my guardian angel to keep me company during the total hip replacement surgery I was preparing for.

The card was signed, “From your friends at Miner’s Den,” and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

I had been trying hard to appear optimistic for my family and friends, but was secretly terrified of the surgery ahead. While I knew it would restore my ability to walk, I worried about the weeks — maybe months — of physical rehab required to strengthen my new bionic legs. The folks at Miner’s Den had seen me hobbling around their store on a cane earlier that week, so they must have sensed that I needed to remember the real presence of guardian angels — the loving support of good friends. That little coin traveled in my suitcase to the hospital.

We all need something that’s soothing to the touch, whether it’s a special coin, a smooth river stone, or a set of prayer beads. Belief in mystical powers (or membership at any particular church) isn’t required. These small icons simply serve to remind us we’re not alone in our struggles.

Several years ago, when my friend Debbie and I were shopping together, we noticed a display of “spirit stones” in a local gift shop. Each of these small stones was etched with a Native American symbol and polished to a soft sheen. Debbie was going through an especially rough time, and was drawn to the stone depicting a bear claw. The image symbolized courage, so I bought it for her on the spot.

I’d completely forgotten about the courage stone until recently, when Debbie and I were participating in a local women’s retreat. The theme was inspired by the National Day of Prayer, which coincided neatly with the first day of our gathering.

During our evening discussion in the retreat center’s library, Nora, another member of our group, asked us all to pray for the courage she needed to help mend an injured friendship. A moment of silence passed. Then, after taking something from her purse, Debbie rose from her seat and walked toward Nora.

As Debbie opened her hand, I saw the courage stone I’d given her years ago.

“It’s time for me to pass a little courage on to someone else,” Debbie told Nora, explaining how the stone had been given to her when she needed it. “Keep this with you when you need support.”

I was almost as surprised and touched as Nora was.

“It was a gift of immeasurable value, for many reasons,” Nora told me later. “Because the stone isn’t just about courage, it’s about friendship. I’ll definitely pass it along to someone else when the time is right.”

Economic recession aside, I’m convinced that the gifts we treasure most are the small, unexpected ones that show someone was paying attention to our needs and challenges. And when you consider their tremendous ripple effect, tokens like the guardian angel coin and the courage stone are so much larger than they appear. If similar gifts are in your possession, please remember to pass them on. – Cindy La Ferle

–This excerpt is one of 93 pieces from my essay collection, Writing Home. Please ask for a copy at your favorite independent bookstore or order it on Amazon.com. –

Tags: courage stone, friendship, guardian angel coins, hip replacement surgery, Miner's Den Royal Oak, reciprocation, women's support groups, Writing Home excerpt
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