70 years ago.... (73 years ago now, update time)

[Fisty]

...A 10 year old lad by the name of Don asked his teacher at school "whats that?" as he pointed to a rock on his teachers desk.

"An ammonite, boy. It is 90 million years old and is a fossil of a creature that once lived in the sea" This was a story he told me many times over the years.

And with that Don became fascinated with history and archeology, even when he was posted in Egypt for his national service he spent more time photographing the ruins than he did photographing the terrain like he was supposed to.
Don went on to write several books on the history of Derby and the roman occupation of Britain, all the time collecting fossils and oddments on the way. Even discovering a roman villa and road.
History was his absolute passion.

Fast forward to this year and Don asked me a question, knowing I love fossils and history he asked. "would you like my fossil collection?"
He said he was downsizing and no longer had room for them, the only condition is that I can not open the box until he has died.

Sadly Don passed away this week so the time has come to open the box of fossils, I opened up the large box and was surprised to see this.

https://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn82/mr_fisty/IMG_1364_zps29224bcf.jpg

With a note saying... "this is my first fossil, my teacher gave me this 70 years ago. It is the single reason I became a historian. please keep it close, Grandad"

This small black piece of 90 million year old rock is the reason my grandfather was put on this earth. I cant describe how precious this must have been to him. It is almost like he has given me his soul.

Rest in peace Grandad, we will miss you so much x

Tom
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[JP7]

Truly amazing.

[covent.gardens]

Yes, yes, but how much is it worth?

[Fisty]

[groovylee]

fisty - awesome, simply awesome. gave me a lump in my throat

covent.gardens - I lol'ed

Lee
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Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

[pinkyfloyd]

https://download.ultradownloads.com.br/wallpaper/276232_Papel-de-Parede-Meme-So-Cute_800x600.jpg

I'd keep that note and rock in a safe place. Such a good story and something to cherish.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[effit]

Genuinely cool story bro!

[Rogue_Shadow]

Rest in Piece

[Kradmelder]

Actually your opa gave you more than a fossil collection. He gave you a purpose and a calling. And the responsibility to pass on your family heritage. Guess he found you worthy.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[woodall57]

Dem feels
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cbt:4/7/12 theory:16/7/12 module 1:12/8/12 module 2: ?

[Pigeon]

Meh, it looks broken, get a new one.

Great bit of family history. Old people have cool stories, but poor dress sense, give off terrible smells and a constant desire to tell you how you should be doing something.

During WW2 my grandad (Charlie Heather) was bumbling around Africa in tanks. He never much liked the beach or hot days.

My gran was working in the war office, in their typing pool. Part of their duties included the odd task of picking soldiers who were in battle and did not have a wife or girlfriend and writing to them. My grans name is Lilly Heather. She scrolled down this list of Private's (steady) and found a chap called Charlie Heather. She chose to write to him because they shared the same surname.

They wrote to each other for two years until the war finished. They got married and the stalk dropped off my old man.

3 sons, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grand children would not be here had it not been for a moral boosting practice in WW2 and two people who shared a name.


......no, no incest....

[TheManWithThe...]

I have one of those!
Not as big though, and with a polished side showing the detail of the fossilised shell.

Definitely not as cool as yours though.
You basically got your Grandad's life in the palm of your hand. You never know...maybe his legacy can inspire a young lad (or laddette) one day to pick up where he left off
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MBK Nitro 50, Sold. Kawasaki ER-5, Honda ST1100
"Anyone can jump a motorcycle! The trouble begins when you try to land it..."

[Ariel Badger]

You just touched me Tom (in a nice way).
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Islander]

That's such an amazing legacy - a true heirloom.

[Chinaboy]

Reminds me of fossil hunting as a young child with my Dad at Charmouth in Dorset. We still have them all in a box. Each one holds a memory.

Nice story Fisty RIP Grandad

[DrDonnyBrago]

I think I have dust in my eye...


Touching story mate, hope you and family are coping well.

[Bubbs]

Would make a wicked tattoo!!
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[Flip]

Keep it safe dude. Treasure it.

He must have loved and respected you very much.

[Weedy]

My eyeballs are sweating.
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<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[metalangel]

That belongs in a museum!!!!

Or rather, in a display case in a prominent location in your home. Superb stuff.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[drzsta]

God bless.

[Speed]

Loads of them about but absolutely priceless to the OP

[Lord Percy]

My grandad passed down the decorative knife of an SS officer he killed in WW2, along with the guy's bloodstained Iron Cross medal .

[sidewinder]

Truly touched by this . My grandad left me a old compass which he had on the d day landings not worth much .but to me it's everything.

[Fisty]

Thanks all, not coping too well at the moment but times a healer. I have No Idea why I put it up on a public forum, I certainly didnt expect a response let alone a dozen of (mainly) kind words so thank you all.
Krad, you hit the nail on the head for me and gave last night some clarity.