What have you found recently?
Me - Something that made me happy and sad.

A couple of weeks ago, I was lamenting that I had no photos of my departed father so we (the OH and 2 kids) headed to my Mum's for the day and for a photo hunt.

Result - loads of old photos of Mum and Dad and us as the family we were then.

The unexpected find? A diary that he wrote when he was in the Falklands of his thoughts and thoughts of me, my sis and my Mum. it has touching things in it like "I don't know how I'll fit in" and "I just miss my family".

I've never had this insight in to my Dad's mind and to have seen/found this was touching and nice as I was, not a couple of days before, saying and thinking that I'd had nothing really to remember him by at home - no photos, letters, etc.

I also found all the letters that my sister and I had ever written to Mum and Dad while we were away at boarding school. Including one, still in its envelope, with a label on it of "First letter from JTW"

I cried. I also cried when I read the diary - In fact, I've read it twice - I cried both times. A lot.
(james_tiger_woods is going to start his killing spree on the, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 15:51, 12 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

That's lovely, that is
Er... I found my sunglasses. They were under a pile of laundry.
Not quite the same emotional punch, I'm afraid, but it is really sunny at the moment, which is a pain when you're trying to drive.
( Cawl, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 15:55, Reply)

Not found anything, but watched a sappy girly movie last night and decided to copy a bit of it.
I've decided to start my own book/diary type thing with my favorite quotes, lyrics and poems.
Why not, eh?
You never know who will get the most out of it.
( Lisette von Falcon, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 15:56, Reply)

I found some vintage pornographic magazines in the loft and had a mammoth wank.

( mike woz ere 7442200 & 7696970 getter, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 16:12, Reply)

My dad was in the Faulklands War and it fucked him up
I really wish I had a diary to look back through. He told me he had to do a lot of "off the record stuff" but never really talked about it much more than saying things like "killing someone armed is easy, its them or you but being a sniper and looking in their eyes when they have no idea what coming can really mess with your head." After he came back he got increasingly violent and alcoholic leading to us leaving when the first gulf war broke as he just flipped as he was so scared of being sent.

He eventually went to the garage got in the car started the engine and "fell asleep" leaving a note pinned to his uniform asking to be cremated in it.

A lot of people don't even think of The Falklands war as a proper war but it messed up my father and drove him to suicide.

I'm sure I had a point but I lost it.

Oh I found my inflatable sofa which made me happy but it had a puncture which made me sad.
( Peej, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 16:41, Reply)

PJ wins
My Freeview box went *electrofizzpop* last night and I cried a little.

I'll get another one when I've finished watching the first two series of My Name is Earl.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 16:52, Reply)

I found
a lot of my old childhood books, some school work I was proud of (GCSE Maths - A grade coursework while I truly sucked at Maths), all my college business studies books and notes, and a card from my great Aunt and Uncle celebrating my birth.

All of which I thought had been thrown out by a malicious 'family' member. Made my day :)
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 17:00, Reply)

a pair of baldmonkey's stained y-fronts blocking the khazi

( Gilgamesh gazed in wonder as Frampton came alive, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 17:25, Reply)

That sounds quite a cathartic (apologies for overuse of the word) moment.
I hope it helped you fill in a lot of blank spaces in your memory JTW.

You've got photos and more importantly some insight into the man your father was.

Good for you matey.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 17 Dec 2008, 17:47, Reply)

I found that as ladies get older and aquire a bad cough , they can accidently wee in their knickers.
I'm going to get some Tena off Tourettes.
( girlinthehole, Wed 17 Dec 2008, 21:23, Reply)

PJM
It has thanks - I just need to scan in some photos of him for me.

I have, however, found some horrendous photos of me with what can only be described as epic hair.... :(
(james_tiger_woods is going to start his killing spree on the, Thu 18 Dec 2008, 8:51, Reply)

@JTW
Haha, I picture you now as looking like Moss from the IT crowd as a nipper!
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Thu 18 Dec 2008, 11:14, Reply)

Tragic
You're not far off...
(james_tiger_woods is going to start his killing spree on the, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 18:14, Reply)