Old
I am fortunate to have been born and raised in a small rural town, it wasn't remote but was far enough away from cities to be very quiet (sleepy at times) and the population was small enough that most people knew each other. It was surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards, fields of grain, properties running sheep or cattle and had a strong history going back to the early 1800's when it was founded. It was, without doubt, a good place to grow up.
The house I was raised in was set on a lot of land and was built in 1902. It had been in my family for a long time by the time I was born and was filled with generations of items those who had come before me had acquired and collected, most was old, antique really, but all of them had a story to tell.
At the time of my youth it was just stuff to me: Furniture, china, artwork, ornaments, books and such things.
As I grew older I began to understand that the items were much more than that though - Each thing was a part of my family history, something that had meant something to a family member or ancestor, had personal or practical value, and as that realisation took hold those things became much more valuable to me as well.
Growing up in such a situation, surrounded by old things in an old house, gave me a strong sense of the value of history which I have turned into a passion - I crave historical knowledge and information generally - and I love old things. There's something special about an item that has withstood the rigors and ravages of time and survived, albeit with scars earned along the way. I guess it's similar to what we, as humans, experience throughout life...as we go forward we pick up the scars of life and each helps define who we were, are and will be, bring character and personality.
The people I grew up surrounded by as a kid, grandparents and parents, are all gone now but I carry them in my memories and so they go everywhere I do, their lives endure through mine. I'm also surrounded by those same familiar things, the antiques and old things that I recall from my childhood and they give me great comfort and enjoyment. I'll be gone someday, who knows where and who really cares, I'll be dead so it won't matter to me; it's ok, I don't mind at all and what's really cool is that the antiques and old things will live on with those of my family they are passed to as will the memories and stories.
The collage of images in this post is one of my old things, a Lee Enfield .303 rifle that saw service on the Western Front in World War One (1914-1918). It still works and I shoot it from time to time but mostly I just like knowing its there, something with a history of its own and secrets that will never be revealed. The scars of use are there though, each have a story, and the item is undiminished in nature by them; in fact, it seems somewhat more valid because of them, I guess like a human does with the scars (physical or emotional) that we pick up over life.
Do you have any historic items of value, sentimental or financial, that you feel attached to? Maybe it's a family heirloom passed down to you or something you found in an antique shop or some such place. Feel free to talk about it in the comments if you'd like to.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
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Image(s) in this post are my own
I have a pin from my grandpa that my mom gave to me. It was from his years of service at his job I think. I also have an old 20 gauge shotgun that was my grandpa's as well. It's just a single shot breach load, but it is pretty cool. I wish my dad had kept his rifle from when he was in Vietnam, but for some reason he got rid of it. I think he wishes he had kept it too.
A lot of people from Vietnam didn’t want to keep any mementos or things from it I’ve learned. I worked with a guy who never spoke of it and would get angry if you asked. Not that people returning from war are treated highly, sadly Vietnam vets got the worst treatment of all from my understanding. Quite sad.
My father in law doesn't talk about it much. My dad is more than happy to talk about his time there. He was on a base most the time though, not in the jungle.
That's some cool stuff and a good link to the people who once called it theirs. For me, it's a nice reminder of the person and where I came from as well.
It means the house was quite historic.
Your post reminded me of my childhood time when i used to live in a village where everyone knows each other. Interaction with other people was common. I used to play with kids in the street, used to sit down with my grandfather and he always takes me to fields.
Our house was also an old masterpiece. It was vast and vintage. Still we own that home which was built in style of it's time.
My grandfather left this world and I often miss him because I was so attached to him. He used to pass me newspaper. Infact, I adopted this habit of reading newspaper because of my grandfather. He is still my superhero.
It's nice to hear you speak of your grandfather with respect; it means he made an impact on you and I think that's legit.
Such memories are beautiful and it draws us closer to our ancestors even when we never met them.
My paternal grandfather served the missionaries who came to our region and when they were leaving, they gave him a big clock. Grandpa didn't know the time but it was a gift he cherished so much.
Even after he was gone, the clock continued to occupy a prestigious position in his living room. I was calling it Grandpa's clock long before I knew that it was really called 'Grandfather clock".
I loved how the pendulum would swing from left to right and back again, and the tick-tock sound as the hands travel round the clock.
It brings back memories and though it's no longer working, it still occupies the position, it keeps reminding me of that beautiful phase in my Grandpa's life.
I think it's so great to have visible reminders of those who came before us, I don't just mean photos though, items they used, like the clock, are just as valuable.
Yes I agree, thank you.
Enfield or Garand? Writing it before reading the rest :D
My first thought was Garand but I was wrong, damn.
I love old things like that - I’ve got a small number of things like the watch my wife’s grandfather would wear all the time and some others. There’s one old family heirloom that I really want to get my hands on but it’s likely I never will. My great great grandparents had an old grinding stone and wheel they would sharpen their tools on and it’s in my great aunts basement but she’s a nasty woman and we will likely never see that item as it will get auctioned off the second she kicks the bucket. There were so many memory items in that house that I’ll never get to see it’s sad. The last time I got to spend time there I think I was 13 and I remember that it was fascinating looking at some of that really old stuff.
Yeah, the close up shots make it difficult to tell, definitely an SMLE .303 though.
The old things link the past to the present and future I think, although so many people simply don't give a fuck which I think is sad and pathetic. We live in a selfish throw-away society these days and people act accordingly.
👍 !PGM
I have a few items from one of my grandfathers. He belonged to a US armored division on the European front in WWII. His souvenirs included a spent 75mm tank/artillery shell, making my collection of fired brass both small in number and large in mass. I also have a Nazi bayonet and an Iron Cross medal he somehow acquired.
From the other side of the family, I have a very utilitarian pocket watch that belonged to that grandfather and some items my grandmother made for me, like a pillowcase and I think a small blanket I had as a child. Very mundane, but more meaningful as a result, don't you think?
I like your items and am sure they'd carry a lot of personal value. I like the pillow case/grandma stuff a lot and as you say they are meaningful indeed, a tangible link to a person, someone who made those items. I have a few such things of my own and have some others that are meaningful to my siblings for safe keeping as well.
I can't single out a single item that is my favourite or most meaningful, they're all of great value and I treasure them.
I don't really have much old and antique items, but your gun pictures remind me of my father's toy air gun. It doesn't take any ammo, but the cocking mechanism works and pulling the trigger lets out a loud bang.
Yeah, they made some pretty realistic toy firearms I guess...all mine are real though, and they go bang to prove it. :)
hmm I'm not sure if I have any historic items. As for what could be sentimental, I think for me it would be my grandparents house and the house I lived growing up when I was in California. It has a lot of childhood memories if I was to go back and visit those houses. I do have a 2 dollar bill that I keep in my wallet and a japanese puzzle box for when I went to Japan. Not sure if those count but maybe in 50 years time I will start feeling it as something historic?
You're pretty young yet and sometimes it takes a person time to feel connected to old things, I know I wasn't too interested as a young kid but soon realised the value of those items (and people). You've got a couple of sentimental items there, so I'd say the rest will follow in due course.
you're probably right. I will see how it goes in 20-30+ years. That will make me like 50-60. Hopefully hive is still around at that time and I can write about this topic
Or you could care more about the sentimentality of things now as time passed by cannot be regained. It's a choice people have to make though I guess, and sometimes one doesn't know they made a bad one until it's too late to change it.
Ya I guess I could but I don't know it just doesn't come to my mind at the moment. I'm too worried about trying to survive now and figuring out my future. But I'm sure there will be a time once my life stabilizes I will probably reflect on the sentiment of the historic things I have?
That gun is a relic.
Similar deal to you, pretty much my parents' entire house and all its contents has a lot of sentimental value, there's a lot of memories in there. Sibling dearest is inheriting it and it's left to the kids after that (and who knows what will happen at that stage it's a very long way off).
I have some jewellery that I got given that has sentimental value despite me being not able to wear it (okay I can technically wear it but I don't because jewellery tends to just shatter on me). My daughter is wearing one of the pieces that my mum got for me and it looks really nice on her, and she doesn't have the jewellery destroying problem that I do XD
A relic indeed, and every time I fire it I wonder if that'll be the time it explodes and takes my head off.
Do you find the items sort of link you to those that owned/used them before you? That's how I feel, and I like the feeling as it give me a sense of belonging.
At least we can say you died doing what you loved?
please don't get exploded by the relic XD
There's definitely a bit of that feeling with the family home, think the kids or their kids would have to sell it off if it leaves the family once we're dead as you'd pretty much have to pry it out of mine and sibling dearest's cold dead hands XD (and given the age gap I had better die before she does).
In love with the rifle and more because of its history, it's incredible that over a century later, it still functions as it did in its days of use. They say that old things are the best around here.
In my family, there's an antique that has been passed down through generations among the women. It's a pineapple-shaped piggy bank with some beautiful details, but it has never been used for its original purpose—only as a relic.
Still, it holds great significance for my family. As you say, one day we won't be here, but our loved ones will remember us when they see these objects.
I imagine that growing up in a rural twon and your love for history have led to a magnificent collection of relics. It's a pleasure to read your posts and learn so much about it.
I think there's a great deal of nostalgia attached to things that have been in a family for a while and it's nice to have them, pass them along and all. It's a nice reminder of where we came from to get to the present time as individuals and families.
Many of the things you mention, I had them but I had to leave them in Argentina, things that belonged to my grandparents and even great-grandparents, tools, objects that look like they belong in museums. I was only able to bring back small things, like a little doll of my grandmother's that I always had and that must be about 100 years old by now.
But those things are still there and in my memories always. Scars that when we look at them make us stronger for the learning we have done.
I like having the physical things around me, touching the things my ancestors touched and used. Of course, when that's not possible memories suffice.
When I was there, playing those things took me back to that time. You know, my great-grandfather used to make wine at home and there was the place where he used to make it. Gardening tools, carpentry... very good memories.
I didn't want to sob on here today but here we go 😭 This line really got me. I also come from a small town with a rich history. My great grandma however sold the house she used to live in with my great grandpa long before I was born. I'm happy I grew up around my nana though as I cherish all the stories she told me and photos she shared with me. Every now and then, we'd just sit down after dinner and go over the hundreds of B&W photos she had. I never met my great grandpa (he passed away a little after World War II, and she never remarried) but her stories helped paint a picture in my head of the kind of person he was. When I went back to Bulgaria in 2012 (a couple of years after she passed), I took a scarf she used to put on regularly as a way to have a little piece of her with me.
Looking through old photos can be such a rewarding experience and helps us connect to those people. I get a sense of sadness at times and also frustration because I have so many questions I'll never get answers to when I look through the old photos.
It sounds like you have some really nice memories and I think they're worth holding on to and passing on to your daughter so that they may live on through her and her own children. I think knowing who came before us and their stories is important.
I hear you about the questions. On the bright side, with the internet and all that jazz nowadays, I don't think future generations will have that problem 😅
Oh yes, absolutely. Sophia already knows so much about my nana - we talk about her regularly. Really wish they had met :)
I guess you'll just have to tell the stories and build her connection to her ancestors that way. I have faith in you. If you feel yourself losing energy...chocolate!
Thank you for saying that!
lol chocolate is the answer to everything!
Hi Galen, if there is one thing I would never want to lose it is family photos from when we lived in Switzerland. It marked my life so much to have been born there and the years lived there, besides being able to see my parents so young, that is something, or the only thing, that I really value among the things that surround me. A hug
Photos are probably one of the most common keepsakes from the past within a family, I'm not surprised to hear yours are so treasured. I have some too and it's always nice to look through them and try to connect to those represented there.
That's how I feel it, a hug
That's a nice rifle with some great history. At one point my father had an M1 rifle from World War II buy trades it for a hunting rifle, bad move I have always thought. The oldest rifle I have is my great grandfather's 22 long rifle. The rifling is mostly worn off so it doesn't shoot straight, but it's has a bit of an ornate finish. It's a family heirloom now and hopefully will stay in the family for generations to come!
You know a rifle is well-uswd when the rifling isbwirn down. It's sounds like your .22LR has been put to good use by your family and imagine all the great times has with it over the years; a good family heirloom for sure.
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Having enjoyed the privilege of firing that particular piece I can confirm it's quite the humbling experience.
Oh yeah, that was a cool day all round and I was happy to bring this small piece of history into your life for a short time and give you and the lad a chance to shoot it. ✅
To sad our dumb fuck Brazilian government won't allow peaceful citizens to have historic firearms, let alone fire them on our land. It's easier to buy a Brazilian-made Mauser in the US than buying one here {sigh}
I hear this a lot from people in other countries...and yet the criminals of those countries manage to retain their firearms.
I heard on the news the other day... police retrieved a grenade launcher from a drug gang.
And there to go, my point is proven. If they retrieved one, how many more do you reckon they have? Let's just say, more than one.
Wow, looks like it has really a sentimental value for you boss. The measurement was still intact, its zero-zero. This is really a nice stuff.
I have quite a few guns. The one I will never part with isn't remarkable or valuable. It's a simple Ruger 10-22, but my grandfather kept it in the RV when he would take my mom, aunts, and uncles on road trips. I never knew he owned it, and only found out about it after the family found it among his things. They knew how much I like guns and saved it for me. I have yet to actually shoot it. Right now it stays tucked away in the safe by itself, to keep it nice.
Call me overly sentimental, but I want the first time I shoot it to be with my oldest son, and then my youngest son when he's ready.
It's items like that which often have the most value, value that transcends financial aspects.
I understand your thoughts on wanting to shoot it with your sons, that would be a nice thing for you and also them to carry forward. Alas, I won't ever get a similar chance as children wasn't something that happened for me, but what you're doing is something that I'd want to do also.
I'm sorry to hear children wasn't something that happened for you, but I wouldn't give up on wanting to achieve something similar to what I described.
Family isn't always blood. There are plenty of youth out there who don't have a good male role model in their life and desperately need it.
I have a friend who's quite a bit older than me, and we met when I was working my way through college. We became such good friends, through thick and thin, we just consider each other brothers. He's invited to every family event, was the best man at my wedding, and my sons call him "uncle" and have no clue there's no blood relation. True family are the people who are there through it all and love you through the good and the bad. 🙂
I've not got much to add to this comment and agree with the gist of it. I think I'm a pretty good uncle although I'm a long way from my nice and nephew so it's difficult to do as much as I'd like to - I think I'm a good influence on them though. I also do a lot of mentoring, training around various things like firearms and outdoor skills and also have a thing going that I, and a few others, started around support for those with PTS. The link below will explain a little.
https://peakd.com/hive-160243/@galenkp/the-group-thingin-the-mountains
I'm sure you're a great uncle, and that's awesome to hear about the mentoring. I've got your article saved so I can read it later tonight. 🙂
!BBH
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Ah ok, thanks...let me know what you think if you manage to read it.
Hello galenkp!
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