We all have different traditions when it comes to commemorating and paying tribute to our loved ones who have passed away.
In today’s world, honoring the customs of others while commemorating the lives of the departed ought to come as standard practice. Some may choose to follow traditions or practices that the rest of us are not familiar with, but it doesn’t make them any less legitimate.
The same is true with gravestones and the ornamentation certain families choose to place over their loved ones’ last resting places. Coins being placed on headstones is one custom that is widely practiced and that you have probably witnessed at some point. However, why is this even a thing? And from whence did it originate? Continue reading to learn more.
Coins are traditionally placed on gravestones in cemeteries around the United States and other countries. When I was a little child, I first observed it when I was at my grandfather’s tomb, and even then, I started to wonder what it was all about.
Luckily, finding the beginnings online doesn’t need much research. Although it was previously thought that the practice originated with Roman military troops, a number of sources have disproved that theory in recent years.
Still, there’s a military connection to leaving pennies on gravestones. The American Legion Website states on one of its pages that it can be linked to the Vietnam War.
“Leaving a coin was considered a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the soldier’s grave than contacting the soldier’s family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war, due to the political divide in the country over the war.”
There are other reasons why veterans leave pennies on gravestones in memory of their fallen friends; occasionally, they do so in order to purchase a beer for them. Each coin represents a different meaning, according to reports.
For instance, a nickel is left by someone who served in boot camp with the deceased, whereas a penny just indicates that someone was present.
On the other hand, a dime represents a combined period of military service. Next are quarters, which inform the family of the presence of whoever left the coin at the moment of the loved one’s passing.
Ever notice a penny left on a gravestone? Were you aware of its meaning? Tell us in the comments below.
The World’s Hairiest Girl Is Now Grown Up, Happily Married and Rocks Her New Style After Shaving
A girl, once labeled “wolf girl” and “monkey face” by her peers, knew that her condition wouldn’t stop her from finding happiness. Eventually, she discovered the love of her life, and her story reveals the profound impact it had on her life.
Supatra “Natty” Sasuphan, once dubbed the world’s hairiest girl, faced ridicule and fear from her classmates due to her unique appearance.
On August 5, 1999, something important happened in Supatra’s family. Usually, when a new baby is born, parents feel really happy and excited. That’s how Supatra’s mom and dad, Sompon and Samrerng, felt when she was born.
But their happiness was mixed with surprise, fear, and disbelief because the doctor told them their baby had a lot of hair. At first, they thought it was normal, but when they saw her in the incubator, they were shocked by how much hair she had. Supatra’s hair covered almost her whole body, and even the doctors in Thailand had never seen someone like her.
Later on, doctors figured out that Natty had a very rare skin disease called Ambras syndrome. This condition is so uncommon that there have only been 50 cases like hers documented in the world since a long time ago.
Ambras syndrome causes excess body hair growth, sparing only the palms, soles, and mouth interior, likely due to a sudden DNA change.
When Natty was born, and her mom wanted to leave the hospital, the doctors didn’t want to let her go because they were worried she might leave her child behind. Sompon told the doctor that she would never abandon her child, no matter what. She said, “We are lucky that she was born into our family.”
Natty grew up in a loving family, but not everyone was understanding of her condition, and she had to deal with some unkindness from strangers and peers.
As Natty grew up, her face remained hidden behind thick hair due to her incurable Ambras syndrome. Regular methods like laser removal couldn’t slow down her hair growth. At school, she faced ridicule because of her unique appearance. Kids called her names like “wolf girl” and “monkey face.”
Natty, however, didn’t understand why they teased her, as she considered herself a normal girl with just a bit more hair. She stated, “It’s the way I am.”
Natty’s teacher, Kuljira Posaeng, revealed that other kids were initially scared of Natty’s appearance, making her early school days difficult. Over time, though, Natty proved she was just like any other student. Teachers described her as hardworking with good grades, and she eventually became one of the most popular kids at school.
Natty’s teachers said she was a lively girl who loved to sing, dance, and act. Her parents treated her just like any other kid, and they never made her feel like she was less important. They took her everywhere and weren’t embarrassed that she looked different from other children.
Later on, Natty found her love.
Natty has come to terms with her condition, understanding that there’s no cure for it. She decided to keep her body hair the way it naturally grew from the time she was born, only shaving her face when she became a teenager. As she grew older, her self-esteem and self-image became more important to her, and she also found love.
She shared: “It began from friendship, then we became a couple.” Their conversations brought her happiness, and being together was comfortable, with a love she didn’t anticipate: “It was a kind of love that I didn’t expect would happen to me.”
Natty later married her boyfriend, calling him “the love of my life.”
She also posted pictures with her lover, showing her face without facial hair. Some people thought she might have been cured, but her dad explained that she had chosen to shave her facial hair to reveal her new look. Now, her eyes, face, mouth, lips, and cheeks are visible, with only her forehead covered by her head’s hair.
Natty, who has found love and happiness, is determined to lead a positive life and continue making a beautiful impact on society. She believes that everyone is beautiful and unique in their own way, and she wants to inspire others to embrace their individuality and radiate their inner beauty.
Before you go, be sure to check out another article where a woman shares her story to emphasize that body hair shouldn’t be criticized, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and embracing one’s uniqueness.
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