Today Michael had his first math test of the summer semester. The way his class works, you can do all of your homework and quizzes online but you have to go on campus to take the tests. He was a little bit nervous, because he doesn't enjoy tests and math is his worst subject. I was super confident in him though, because he studied hard and really is getting a good understanding of all the problems so far! We made sure he had his calculator and pencil before we headed out. On a whim, I hurried back into the house to grab one extra thing: my lucky button necklace.
This necklace has quite a "history", so to speak. Back when I was in about 2nd grade there was this book at the book fair I'd had my eye on for just about forever. My mom eventually surprised me with it—it's called The Good Luck Pony by Elizabeth Koda-Callan. The book is sweet. It's about a young girl who dreams to ride horses but her fear prevents her. Her mother gifts her with a golden pony necklace and suddenly the little girl is able to overcome her fears and become a great rider. The book comes with your very own golden pony necklace, which I adored. For whatever reason, I was convinced that the golden pony necklace was a "good luck charm". And so it became my good luck necklace.
After about a week, maybe two, I lost the necklace. And I was devastated. I was horrified I had misplaced such a special thing, and I was upset with myself for always losing my stuff. My Grama came over to me and held out her hand. In it was a simple red button. I looked up at her questionably as I took the button. She explained to me that this was my new good luck charm—it was a "good luck" button, after all. She told me that she knew I would never lose this button, and that it would bring me good luck whenever I needed it.
I never lost that button. I lost probably everything else in my life, but somehow I never lost my button. I took it with to school if I had a big test to take. I tucked it into my sock if I had an important soccer game. I always had it with me whenever I thought I needed some extra luck. Maybe it was just the comfort of knowing I had the charm that made me excel and do better...or maybe it was because the button actually was lucky. That little button never seems to fall me. I walked out with A's and wins and problems solved. I always have found that I can rely on that button if I need it.
Eventually I looped the button through an old necklace chain and I would wear it instead of just tucking it into my pocket. Sometimes I wore it on days even when I didn't need any extra luck—I just liked knowing it was there. Most people find it very interesting and tend to ask about it...and most people tend to laugh when I explain that it's my lucky button necklace. But, despite what other's believe, to me this always will be my good luck button. And I am so thankful to my Grama for teaching me that you don't need a fancy golden pony—a simple red button will do just fine.
Michael is probably one of the only people who actually believes my stories about the good luck button. When I came walking out holding it and offered for him to wear it during his test, his eyes lit up and a smile broke out onto his face. He was so thankful as he tucked it into his front pocket. I know Mike did great on his test and I happily await finding out his score. I am very proud of all the work he has put into this class and I know he'll do well, button or no button. But, of course—a little extra good luck never hurt anyone. ;)
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