+drneal Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 This Coin is dedicated not to the memory of, but to the life of my wife, and best friend, Kathy! I chose the chinese symbol for double happiness, to represent the joy, and happiness shared by Kathy and I, for so many (or perhaps so few,) years. Each of the characters that denote happiness is written as "hsi" or "xi" in Mandarin. In the case of the double happiness sign, the 2 "xi" characters signify the happiness of the couple as they spend their lives together, as Kathy and I did. The Story! The double happiness sign originated from a student's journey during the tang dynasty (sorry...educational stuff.) The boy, who was about to take a final examination fell sick on his way to the capital city. Luckily, the herbalist doctor and his daughter were able to help him. However, the young student soon fell in love with the daughter. Because the girl was also in love with the boy, she wanted to make sure the boy was her perfect match, a yin to her yang, soulmates. And so before the boy left for the capital city, the girl wrote part of a rhyming couplet on paper, with hopes the boy could find its perfect match. At the examination, the emporer asked the boy to finish a couplet....the couplet the emporer gave to the boy was the missing match to his love's rhyme! Pleased with the young man's answer, the emporer mad the boy one of his ministers. Before taking his post the boy went back to the girl and recited her couplet's match. They were happily married soon after. Their happiness was doubled, as their two lives became one! The plaque the coin is modeled after hangs in our living room...I can't really tell you why, but something about it helps me think of Kathy. The Coin! 2" 3.5mm thick 25 glitter green on gold (sorry, pretty well spoken for) 225 glitter green on black trackable on Geocaching.com icon trades only....please e-mail if you have an interest...I enjoy the forum, and will try to accomodate pretty much any trade ILYK Quote
+jasondulac Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Really nice coin mabey I'll try to find something I could trade you Quote
+gardengorilla Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Email sent Congratulations drneal, you must be really pleased it turned out so well! Quote
JohnMac56 Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 drneal, that is one very beautiful coin and a wonderful story too... I'll look through my collection and send you an trade offer soon.... Quote
+Shadow's Friend Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Beautiful coin and story. I didn't have the honor of meeting Kathy but I'm sure she would be very proud of you! I hope you are still planning to go to MWGB and will trade with us there. I would hate to miss out on one of these gems. Quote
+kini_ont Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 drneal what a beautiful tribute to a best friend, hope you will consider a trade (email will follow) thanks. Quote
+Crowesfeat30 Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Very cool coin drneal! I was wondering what that coin was that I saw in another thread... Too bad the gold/glitter are all spoken for. Those look really nice. Perhaps I can come up with something for a BN version, tho. CF30 Quote
+DrJeepStr Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Beautiful Coin! We love the design and meaning! Email sent....thank you! Quote
+Frank n Beck Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Gorgeous coin! Love the meaning behind it! Will look through what we have and make you a trade offer. Beck Quote
+Just a Trifle Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 This coin looks great drneal and the sentiment behind it is so heartwarming. It is a beautiful way to celebrate someone. Quote
+DJ.J.ROCK Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 dr neal- with your and my martial arts talk, i gotta get me one or 2 of those , will send snail mail tonight after work Quote
+Droo Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 I love it... and I now get the ILYK you always add to the end of all your posts. Quote
+Dark Elf Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 (edited) Hope i will find something you like I will contact you later...if i find something Edited June 30, 2009 by Dark Elf Quote
+Sparticus06 Posted June 30, 2009 Posted June 30, 2009 Glad you finally got them. They look beautiful. Very nice coin. I can't wait to see them in person. Quote
+DaFunkyFrogs Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 great tribute & great looking coin.........e-mail sent........ Quote
+Sparticus06 Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 Total surprise today. Thank you so much Dr. Neal. They turned out great. Very nice sized too. Quote
+Chickahominy Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 Beautiful coin, Dr. Neal... and a loving tribute to Kathy. I will be sending you an email in a few moments. Thank you... Quote
+cache_in_hand Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 For your 'trade only' is that mean personal coins or coins from your want list? By the way, nicely done. Quote
+drneal Posted July 2, 2009 Author Posted July 2, 2009 For your 'trade only' is that mean personal coins or coins from your want list? By the way, nicely done. I enjoy my time on the geocoin forum, and will try to make Kathy's Coin available to anyone wishing to trade for one....if you have a coin and don't see it on my want or have list, I would be very happy to trade. I've tried to add new coins to my list as they are announced on the forum, those are great too (green if available is preferred.) Good time to add that I'm planning on attending the MWGB, and will be bringing the coins with me for trading. My thanks for all the nice comments I've received on this post, and via e-mail. Kathy's Coin holds a lot of signifigance for me...I really think she would be happy with it. ILYK Quote
+Vanelle Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 A beautiful story and graceful tribute to your joy together. Thanks for sharing it with us. Quote
+Howlingmoon Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 I would love to get one of these but, I haven't a clue what to offer. Most of the coins I can buy are put into my collection. I don' usually buy extras; I can't afford it. I'll send an email and see what happens. Quote
+drneal Posted July 2, 2009 Author Posted July 2, 2009 my trade list is at the bottom of my post. ILYK Quote
+avroair Posted July 5, 2009 Posted July 5, 2009 I got one of these awesome coins in the mail yesterday! thanks so much drneal! goes right to the top of my personals keepers! Quote
+BRoKeN W Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 drneal is one of the nicest people I have come across. He sent me two of these lovely coins. One to keep and one to do with as I please. I promised to keep one coin for myself and I will keep that promise. Aside from my love for coins with asian influence, I also love the meaning behind this coin. It's not every day you come across someone who has so much love for their spouse. Thank you drneal! Quote
The Stoned Wookie Posted July 6, 2009 Posted July 6, 2009 I got my coin in the mail today. Thank you very much for the trade! Thanks for sharing your story. I hope both of you have a wonderful life together. Quote
+drneal Posted July 6, 2009 Author Posted July 6, 2009 I received another e-mail today asking if I would only trade for other personal coin...I guess I must have phrased my listing poorly...I am very pleased to trade for pretty much any coins I don't have, and will find something available somewhere for those that don't have a trade. it is my wish that those of you, esp. on the forum, that wish to own a Kathy's Coin, should. ILYK Quote
+tsunrisebey Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 Very, very nice! The meaning behind it makes it even more special Quote
LoriDarlin Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 I too received one in the mail and it is beautiful Thanks so much DrNeal It IS a wonderful geocoin Kathy would love for sure and for many reasons....your love for her being one of them!! Kelly is right you are one of the nicest people but I already knew that....just backing her up here Quote
+007BigD Posted July 7, 2009 Posted July 7, 2009 I just cant clip and post your ILYK...BUT Im doin it anyway! ILYK Love the personal meaning and the story behind it...I am glad you can enjoy the time you had. Hit up my trades list for somethin that may interest you Quote
+brewmeister Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Email sent. Your story reminds me a bit of my wife. different I'm sure, yet also I feel there are some similarities. Quote
+ThirstyMick Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 I hope there are some left when my coins come in Or maybe there's something on my (way-out-of-date) trading list you want? What a special coin. Very nice job, Dr.Neal. Quote
+drneal Posted July 8, 2009 Author Posted July 8, 2009 (edited) I hope there are some left when my coins come in Or maybe there's something on my (way-out-of-date) trading list you want? What a special coin. Very nice job, Dr.Neal. try again Edited July 8, 2009 by drneal Quote
+drneal Posted July 8, 2009 Author Posted July 8, 2009 I hope there are some left when my coins come in Or maybe there's something on my (way-out-of-date) trading list you want? What a special coin. Very nice job, Dr.Neal. email sent...thanks for the kind words. ILYK Quote
+Chickahominy Posted July 9, 2009 Posted July 9, 2009 I received a beautiful Kathy's coin in the mail today. Thank you, Dr. Neal. It is a coin to be proud of.. I have you on my list for one of my personals, when they are finally completed. I will cherish my Kathy's coin and think of the love you two shared everytime I look upon it. Quote
+drneal Posted July 9, 2009 Author Posted July 9, 2009 I received this coin as a thank you for a Kathy's coin mailed as a thank you for a kindness shown me by another collector...I truly appreciate the coin, but it is the letter that came with the coin that I will treasure..thank you! ILYK Quote
+The Finding Irish 4 Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 Dr. Neal, What can I say about this coin, I have been touched by few things in my life, READ TOUGH GUY HERE. I know cachers are a special breed and reading the Todies Wild Ride!, and what Rockin Roddy is doing for the memory of his friend, now your coin in memory of your Wife. Just makes me feel all that much more proud to be amoung your ranks. We meet at GCF 2008 you gave my Son Fredhead his first coin which is still one of his favorites, which he torments his Sister with everytime they look through their budding collections. This is a great coin, with all that you have put into creating such a coin with the depth behind it you should be proud of it. I am sure anyone who comes across one either in a collection or hopefully on the playing field will be touched by the story and your LOVE. CUDO's Dr. Neal you are a romantic...... Quote
+Clan Doyle Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 Got mine today, I can't wait til the wife comes back from vacation and sees it. I may not be able to cry, but she definately will. Great looking coin, Doc! Quote
+cache_in_hand Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 Dr. Neal, I received your coin yesterday and I am so very glad you decided to trade for these and not sale them. After reading much on the forums lately about the 'old days' when trading was part of geocoining I am pleased to say that I too wish it would make a comeback because I will treasure this coin for more then just its beauty and the sentiment in which you designed it, but because you allowed us to trade our personal coin with you for it. It is a great coin and you must feel very good inside when you look at it, I know I do. : ) Thank you very, very much. Wanna Quote
+2golfers Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 Received my Kathy's Coin in the mail today. This is a very nice coin with a great story behind it. I am proud to be an owner of this coin. Thanks for trading drneal!! Quote
Bo.T.L. Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 I received Kathy's Coin BN in the mail on 16.7.2009. Very Thanks for trading drneal. Bo.T.L. Czech Geocacher and Geocoins Collector Quote
+IBcrashen Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 Every now and then a coin comes along that you just have to have because of the design of it. Add to it a great, special meaning and it becomes even more desired. I havent been to faithful reading the coin forum lately and missed this one. I was lucky as drneal contacted me for a trade. I came home from the cabin and saw that I had received a mailer from drneal. I am so honored to have received a green glitter on gold coin. I dont have to many coins sitting out an about, most are in binders. But this one is staying out, along side my favorites and the wooden schnauzer cut out I received from him a while back. Thank you so much for the special coin. Quote
+DresselDragons Posted August 19, 2009 Posted August 19, 2009 I was at a family reunion last weekend. One family member was giving the women handmade jewelry...she placed the in a small red envelope with the double happiness symbol on it. I immediately recognized it from your coin. Quote
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