and yes, that's what I said, too. While we found this to be pretty funny, we were both really intrigued by the second letter, which is from Dave, his offer and his huge interest in Chuck. Here's Dave's letter;
"I have a great trade for CHUCK, I will trade 1-Indian head penny, 1-Buffalo nickel, 1-Mercury Dime, 1-Silver Quarter, 1-Bicentenial Half Dollar, 1-Bicentenial Dollar, 1-$2.00 Dollar Bill, and 1-1971 US Mint Proof Set. I would Like to Have CHUCK, so him and I can sit back and watch Everyone Trade it Forward!!!!!!"
Aaron and I could tell that this guy really saw the value of Chuck's mission, and so we arranged to meet Dave in Broadripple at the Ripple Bagel & Deli. (http://www.ripplebageldeli.com/) We left the office late (Aaron hates to be late. Aaron is never late.) and called Dave on our way, saying we'd be 5 or 10 minutes behind. We got there to find Dave waiting by the door. He greets us with a great big grin and dismisses Aaron's apology for being late as they shake hands. He turns to me and I proudly introduce Chuck. Dave reaches straight-faced into his pocket and says "I was concerned that Chuck might need a snack, so I brought these"...and pulls out a handful of walnuts and brazil nuts. I knew then that our favorite squirrel-turned-actor-turned-philanthropist (The Brad Pitt of Squirrels?) had found a great home!
The deli is peaceful as we sit down, the inviting smell of bagels hangs in the air. Dave hands us an envelope with his trade inside and tells us his 7 year old daughter is really looking forward to meeting Chuck. He pulls out the coins and I'm particularly fascinated by the proof set, which is literally so shiney I can't look away, the murcury dime which is from 1941(it occurs...it was spent durring the second world war!) and the Indian penny from 1902 which happens to be the same year President Roosevelt became the first president to ride in a car! I wonder to myself....who else has held this penny in their hands, and will this penny, worth so little in our economy, after 106 years in existience....go on to do something truly large? And this makes me think, how many times do people feel that they are (or others think of them as) "only a penny"? Yet,that doesn't mean they can't do things worth more than anyone dreamed. That "stated value" really doesn't define their worth or their potential. Maybe somedays we all feel like "just a penny". Maybe next time I do, I'll remember that tiny metal bit of perspective, from today. It's my own copper inspiration.
Dave says these coins belonged to his grandmother. We learn she spent her life taking care of his uncle who had some mental challenges. He says she looked out for him until he was 65 and she in her 90s. When they finally said his uncle was going to pass, his grandmother announced "I don't want to see that", and 6 months before he went, she died.
We had another meeting after Dave, so we parted company after not too long, promising to keep in touch. Dave says he'll be posting "Chuck-Updates"(that's not to be confused with Up-Chuckdates...) here in comments, so keep a lookout for that. Plus, if you think you might like to have some Copper Inspiration of your own, let us know what you can trade so we can keep going! We'd love to meet you and hear your story, too!!! I've put some pictures of the NEW items for trade....as well as pictures of Aaron and our new good friend, Dave.
P.S. We also received an offer to trade for this deer skull. Just for the record.(NOTE TO THE READER: I has the Mary's Veggie Sandwich, which is like a pizza sandwhich...it was phenomenal. Aaron really enjoyed his Mr. Turkey as well...Ken and Susan, the owners were there and incredibly friendly...all in all, the whole atmosphere is young, fun and interesting. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a nice lunch!)
