Dime in the shoe, psalm on the porch

Our niece Tanya drove up to Atlanta for nursing school this week, her first time living away from home. Before she left I sent her off the way my uncle sent me: an old silver Mercury dime in her left shoe, the 91st Psalm read over her on the front porch, and a little red flannel bag in the glovebox with salt, a bay leaf and a picture of her grandmama.

She asked if the dime actually does anything. I told her it reminds her she's got people praying behind her. That's what it does.

She texted me last night: "Made it. Shoe's uncomfortable." Good. Means she's still wearing it.