Description

Finding My Marbles is a book you can read and live. Discover the timeless principles that guide the characters in the book and that will help you in your search for a more fulfilling life! Monica learns the first principle from a 5-year old boy named Conor. Enjoy this sample. Monica was anxious to leave the store, but something about Conor reminded her of happier times… Monica carefully observed Conor… His bright, sky blue eyes were accented by a string of freckles sprinkled from one cheek to the other… His boyish grin was genuine. He looked sublimely happy to be purchasing a small bag of marbles. She noted how he watched the cashier scanning his bag of marbles with breathless anticipation. That will be three dollars and twenty-three cents, said the cashier with a hint of kindness in her eyes. Conor produced a wadded up five-dollar bill from his pocket and gave it toward the cashier without taking his gaze from the bag of marbles… The cashier efficiently made change… He had already opened the bag of marbles and was carefully admiring a green cat eye. His mother nudged him and motioned to the cashier, whispering something in his ear. He carefully placed the marble back in its bag and held out his hand to receive his change. He looked in utter amazement at the money in his hand… He stood glued to the spot, looking back and forth from his marbles to the money. He finally stuffed the money into his pocket and reached for the green cat eye again. Conor s mother nudged him again and prompted, Conor, what do you say? Conor beamed brightly as if he had just remembered a secret. He looked directly at the cashier and said with childish sincerity, Thank for my marbles. The cashier smiled at his joyous display of pure gratitude… Then the magic happened. Conor removed the green cat eye marble and held it up to the light. This is a good one, he said to no one in particular. Then, he resolutely extended the marble to the cashier and said, Here, you can have this one. An awkward silence followed. The cashier looked at Conor then at his mother then back at Conor. Thank you so much, she said, placing her hand over her heart. That is the nicest thing anyone has done for me this whole week. Monica felt a lump rise in her throat, and her eyes began to tear up. She wondered, why did this simple gesture pull on her heart-strings? The answer was suddenly obvious. She had just witnessed a demonstration of genuine gratitude, and it was a beautiful thing. As Conor and his mother left the store, Monica unconsciously stepped forward. The cashier, predictably asked Monica, Did you find everything you need? Without thinking, Monica replied, No, I didn t. Ignoring the cashiers confused expression, Monica asked, Where can I find a bag of marbles?