North Huntingdon woman's book inspired by son's death

A North Huntingdon woman has written a book about miracles from God, inspired by the unexpected death of her son in September 2013.

Laurie R. Sweeney is the author of “Have You Found Your Penny,” a book she says has been five years in the making because it was inspired by events that occurred after the death of her 17-year-old son, Michael T. Sweeney Jr.

The title is the result of what Sweeney described as the discovery of a “miracle penny” at her doorstep after the family left Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, where her son died as a result of a heart condition. He was a senior at Norwin High School.

Upon finding the penny, “we all knew Michael was telling us he made it to heaven,” Sweeney said.

“The book is not only about penny miracles, it is about other miracles that have occurred since Michael’s passing, but about how a community gathers together when a tragedy occurs,” Sweeney said.

In a description of the self-published inspirational book, Sweeney said people need to open their eyes and view God’s messages.

“Be ready to have your faith enhanced by those miracles that have happened during my journey of loss,” Sweeney said. During difficult times, “I hope you can see God’s light radiating at the end of the tunnel.”

Sweeney said that friends, family members and strangers have told her some “unbelievable stories” about finding a penny.

“They have been found under rocks, on tables, under picnic benches, stuck to a wall, on window sills, in bed, in the shower, in the grass,” Sweeney said.

Those finding a penny in an unusual place have said, “we don’t put pennies there” or “that penny was not there before,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney will be at a book release event from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Norwin Art League, 306 Main St., Irwin. She said on her Facebook page she picked the art league office because “Michael helped me with art classes, and the art league has provided me with such positive therapy.“