Stories
The Little Things
When it came time to sort through my Mom and Dad's things, I struggled with what to keep or give away. My brother Jim and I, our wives, and our kids all took things, but we couldn't take it all.
It was a sad process of sorting through things, some very tiny and often meaningless to us, that they had kept all their lives. I felt like I was discarding remnants of lost family history, untold stories, and precious memories of two well-lived lives. Now, we have only a few things we all kept.
Like Mom and Dad, I have kept small things that are important to me. I don't expect my kids or grandkids to want these things.
Here is a catalog of my Little Things, in no particular order, and a description of what they are.
From my parents: Dad's broken 35mm Camera and a photo of him with it (1960s), his Masonic Worshipful Master Gavel (1965) Birmala Lodge, #836, and Mom's Plaque presented for her service to UAB in the Payroll Department.
I gave the gavel to Colin when he became a Mason. I broke the piggy bank and cashed in the pennies with all the change and silver dollars we had around the house. Kim has the camera, hoping to find someone who can repair it.
Alan Pitcher gave me this when I left England. The artist made it from stained glass discarded during the renovation of Salisbury Cathedral. I asked Kady to send it back to him, believing that a member of the Parachute Regiment should have this after I am gone. It arrived safe and sound.
Gifts from the First Battalion of the British Parachute Regiment: The Statuette is from 8 Platoon. The Regimental Belt, Para Smock, Sweater, and Face Veil are all from my good Mate RQ Cotton. The WO and Sergeant's Mess gave me the print The Paras are Landing, and C Company gave me the Bayonet on the Coffin Plague, both hanging in my office.
My only gold includes the Cufflinks, a gift from Vern on his departure from Izmir (1985), my first wedding ring from Kady (1981), my Class 47 USASMA ring (1997), and my VMI Class (2004) Ring, all guarded by my Corinthian Helmet, a souvenir from Karlovasi Samos and a trip there (1995) with Kady and my little kids.
The Meerschaum Pipe that I gave to Dad (1985). The CIB and Master Wings from the NATO NCOs as I retired (2001).
I have no clue what I've done with the small pipe.
A collection of small things from Turkiye include: one of the Business Cards Sevda Oge had made for me (2001) naming me Divas' Professional Photographer, A small Tea Cup given to me by one of my Turk soldier's family for taking care of their son when he was injured (1985-they said it was "old and valuable"), a Stolen Ashtray from my favorite Izmir restaurant the Altin Kapi & Keys to my last Apartment in Alsancak (2001), Muslim Prayer Beads part of my disguise for safe walks (1984), and a old brass Ottoman Cup a gift from Kady (1990).
Kady Things: two favorite photos, when she was a little girl (1964) and in Izmir (1985), the Dancing Shoes representing the song by Dan Fogelberg, brass Heart, Watch and Chain she gave me. The Music Box and the Broken Watch Face are gifts representing the movie Somewhere in Time, one of our first dates. The music box plays Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninoff, Op. 43 Variation `XVIII. A Turkish plumber stole the watch, ripped off the face, and threw it in the toilet tank.
My figurines are few but include Brer Rabbit from my days of reading Uncle Remus to my kids (given to E), Jesus on a Chain in a Pouch given by Bob Anzuoni, a priest in training, Color Sergeant Frank Bourne, Royal Regiment of Whales, DCM, Rorke's Drift, from John Brodie (unsure why John calls him Vaughn and gives him a VC), Cadet X-mas Ornament from Vergie Moore, Aubie X-mas Ornament, from Bill and Sylvia, and Pass the Pigs Game, favorite of rigged paratroopers waiting to load.
Every man needs Boxes, and the best are Turk Inlayed Boxes, where I keep my cigars, foreign currency, and small pins. Very Handy.
A collection of Military Things: my Maps of Grenada, Fort Bragg, and Panama, my Master Wings, British Wings, and my CIB, The Wine Bottle (1983) is from Grenada, liberated from the Peoples Revolutionary Army, filled with the Movie Stubs from years past, noting who went with me.
I threw away the Bragg and Panama maps, wine bottle, and the ticket stubs a while back.
My after-marked Shifter for Bess, my 2005 Mustang, and Noreena Motel Ashtray. The Noreena was where my family and the Lewis family stayed each trip to Panama City Beach.
Both are great memories.