The $2 Bill: Worth vs. Value

My great-grandfather had 11 children, 35 grandchildren, and well over 50 third-and fourth-generation offspring. He was a poor sharecropper near the Mississippi River who rarely traveled more than 20 miles from home, but he had one deep commitment to his entire family: If you showed up at his small clapboard home on Christmas morning, he would personally hand you a $2 bill.

Now, two dollars doesn’t go very far in any economy. However, when I sit down and count my $2 bills, I can count the number of Christmases I had with my great grandfather. The value is in what they meant–and still mean–to me. 

The denomination does not equal the value.  

In public safety, we have a similar tradition; many of us proudly display our challenge coins, plaques, and service medals. We take great pride in sharing small tokens of appreciation to remind us that we share a deeper value.

Last June, I was surrounded by friends and family at a reception in Nashville, TN. In my hand, I held three of my cherished $2 Christmas bills from my great-grandfather. I then began to share their significance with my closest friends and colleagues.

Then, one by one, I handed the bills to three of the people who have been most influential in my career–and my life:

First, to my mentor, I gave the $2 I received the year I was born (1976). Just like my early years as a child when I received so much support from so many, this man chose to invest in a fledgling 9-1-1 telecommunicator. He treated me as an equal and as a friend, and I have always had the utmost respect for him. His positive influence continues to this day, as is reflected by the hundreds of lives he has touched throughout our industry.

Then, to my partner in crime under the headset, I gave my $2 from the year I started grade school (1981). She and I started on second shift together nearly fifteen years ago and have been through some truly trying times together. And like grade school students, we grew in knowledge and wisdom through the tests and trials of public service.

Lastly, to the gentleman who was my inspiration to once again dare greatly, I gave the very last $2 bill I ever received from my great grandfather (1994). After high school, it became time to think about what gifts I could give to others rather than what gifts they could give to me. This person is a constant reminder that those who serve tirelessly and with a pure heart can literally change the world.

I know that each of us have mentors, partners, and inspirations who have greatly influenced our careers. I also know that most of us have served in one of these roles, maybe without even knowing the positive impact we were having. So, as we move through the rest of this year, I give you a two-fold challenge: 

Send a note of appreciation to the key influencers in your life, and be a positive influence to someone new in 2019.

If we commit to these two small challenges, then we could all look back on 2019 as the year of commitment to one another. I would wager that we would find more value in the people of our lives.and less in the presents they may give. As a matter of fact. . .

I would bet my last $2 on it.

• This reprint is from "The Call", the quarterly magazine of the National Emergency Number Association: Peevyhouse, J. (February, 2018). What is the Value of a $2 Bill?  www.nena.org/page/TheCallMagazine.