famiy and friends
There isn't one most treasured possession I could name. My children, family, friends and my boyfriend who I truly love and is my soul mate would be all I would want in my life. Life is too short to worry about materialistic possessions. A fire could take all my possessions bar those I've listed above.
( lafleur likes cheese, Thu 8 May 2008, 15:11, Reply)

Without a shadow of a doubt

I would save my photo of Peter Schmeichel cica 1995 signed by the legend that is John Barnes.

It's the only one in existance as far as I know...
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Thu 8 May 2008, 15:08, Reply)

Monkey (and son, obviously)
Apart from the spawn, it would have to be Monkey. I have a monkey teddy (like off the pg tips ad only a bit larger) that my ex got for me when i was pregnant and had to move to manchester to start my phd and he stayed in wolves (not finishing his). Monkey kept me company every night i was on my own, something to cuddle up to and remind me of the ex. Now we've split up monkey resides in juniors room alongside a picture of Daddy so he can look after him like he did me.

I also have a vanity case filled with photos, love letters, end of school notes and cards that makes me smile and cry every time i go through it, so that would have to come too.
(The Ginger Penguin la la la la la la, Thu 8 May 2008, 15:01, Reply)

all of my books
I have somewhere in the region of 300 of them, the most prized being my complete collection of Willard Price, my very early Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass with colour plates, and the very very old and beautiful-smelling copy of Kipling's Just So Stories.

That book goes a long way to explaining why I'm like I am, I'm certain of it.

that is also courtesy of my dad, who used to read it to me when I was very young.

dawning realisation: my dad is great. yay dad!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:59, 3 replies)

Easy
Nothing at all.

Since my son was born (and my ex left without notice taking him with her and refused to let him spend any time with me, meaning I had to take her to court) I would happily torch EVERYTHING I owned if I knew it meant he would grow up with me and the rest of his family in his life.

Things come, things go. Family and friends are the only important things in life.
(Audax Victor, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:59, 1 reply)

God how could I forget.
Forget everything else. The only thing I would save is the only two photos I have and that my family have of my brother who died when he was about 3 or 4. I was a year older and can't remember him but I often think of him as I would have liked a brother.
( girlinthehole, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:58, 1 reply)

Tricky
What one thing would I rescue from a house fire? Hmm. Probably one of the twins. The pretty one.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:57, 2 replies)

Some of the stories on here are rather touching
Crying like a little girl I am.

I think I would have to save a couple of things.

My signed Jerry Springer The Opera dvd, my Rocky Horror/Shock Treatment Lips Boxset, My Hawaiian shirt signed by Reel Big Fish, maybe one of my guitars... but that's all I have here where I live at the moment.

If my dads house was on fire, I'd have to grab Blue Bunny and Pound Puppy (I have always liked alliteration), two cuddly toys I have had since I was born (I also had Blue Bear, but he was no Blue Bunny), I would also have to save anything to do with my grandparents on my dads side that may be in that house, I really miss them, and it's one of the reasons this QOTW is making me so teary *wipes eyes*
(Multi-Coloured Pop Shop "twat with a ukulele", Thu 8 May 2008, 14:54, Reply)

Hands up .....
all those who know what Davros grandad would save.
( girlinthehole, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:53, 9 replies)

Screw that
Atticus and a picture of my and my only real brother when we were 4 and 5 sitting in the garden. He has one leg swung over another and his arms folded and looks like an old man.

Sweet.
(Document Pocket, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:53, Reply)

My cats
The few material possessions I see fit to own are easily replaceable. Those guys aren't! They keep me company and play with me in the day, wait for me when I get home from work, and guard me while I sleep. And they bring me awesome presents like giant fuck-off rats which they then devour in front of me. Urgh.
(keyboardman, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:52, Reply)

my cats, george and nushi
altho technically they own me.


and neither would burn. they keep falling into the brent.
(magictorch, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:49, Reply)

Being a very
shallow kind of girl i'd at least try and hurl my wardrobe out of the window followed by all my shoes. But if I couldnt manage that [realisticly if I couldnt save those possesions I would refuse to live as life would have no point] i'd have to get my pocket sized cat, Atticus. Even though I gave her a mans name she still comes and greets me at the door every evening and sleeps under my chin every night without fail.

Then again she does piss on my bed every so often so....
(Document Pocket, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:47, 1 reply)

I wouldn't say
that I have anything with real sentimental value, other than the watch that my parents gave me for my 21st. It wasn't hugely expensive, and I didn't think that I had got so emotionally attached to it until I almost lost it a little while ago.

shame the bastard has stopped working now.

I have a wooden viking longship that my dad made (properly made, out of individual planks and everything) before I was born. This was given to me when they moved house, and I'd hate to see anything happen to it.

Other than that, my very old unplayable mandolin, my beautiful gold and black Fender Strat, and I'd say my surfboard, but I just sold it and haven't bought a new one yet.

I guess I'd have to save the stuffed penguin that my girlfriend has become incredibly attached to. She treats it in such a way that it makes me do it to, and I swear the bloody thing has a personality....
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:45, 4 replies)

I've got two things
That I don't go out of the house without, to the point that I'd freak out if I didn't have them on me.
Strictly speaking they're not irreplacable things, but as I have them on my person at all times, they mean a lot to me.

My pocket knife - Beech-wood handled carbon steel Opinel Number 6.
This is the most important. It's not that I'm going to stab someone, it's a tool, not a weapon.

Silver ring - Stainless steel ring, right-hand middle finger. Got given it years ago by a girl I knew.
( Cawl, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:39, 7 replies)

well actually
at the risk of getting too mawkish and maudlin, i guess anything that belongs to someone who has died is very precious. letters, photographs, videos etc.

i spent the first christmas after my mum died so unexpectedly, about 2 weeks before christmas day, holding all the gift tags that she'd written without a clue that she wouldn't be there to give everything out. it took me the best part of a year before i could open anything she'd wrapped. it's always the little things. there's no sentiment in a sports car or a £50k diamond. it's all in the thoughts and memories.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:38, Reply)

My first post (so be gentle)
Hi, apologies for my first post being rather slushy and long winded but here goes.
My grandad died when I was about 5 years old. I remember him as "jelly grandad". This is what I have always called him because when he was alive every time we went to visit him and my nanny he'd always phone up to ask what colour jelly I wanted for pudding (I was the only one allowed to choose out of myself, sisters and all my cousins as I was the oldest and he was very proud of me, his first grandchild). The answer was without fail 'red jelly'. But he always used to phone up anyway (I think he just liked to wind me up by saying there was a red jelly shortage and that we had to have green jelly (never actually happened thank god!)).
A few years ago (about 7) I found some 8mm projecter type footage in the loft at my nannys house and I thought I'd see what it was (because I'm nosey) and there was me in my little walker chair thing running around crashing into the person filmings legs (you never got to see who was filming). I asked my mum who it was filming and she said it was my grandad. It breaks my heart that there is no actual footage of him on those films. But the thing is I know he's there laughing at me chasing him and that's enough to make those films my most precious possesion. So now when I watch them, sitting there eating my red jelly, I think about all the times when my family have said I am so similar to him and how proud he would have been of me and I always hope that's true.

P.S my boyfriend has a stormtrooper helmet that I've got my eye on too.
(tillyecl Tilly, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:38, 3 replies)

Hmmmm...
Like Legless and Frank, I've had to purge my life by means of divorce, which does in fact bring a very different perspective to material things. I used to have my kids' baby teeth, lots of photos of them as toddlers, the little piece of knit material they put on my oldest son's soft little skull in the hospital to keep his head warm, his last pacifier... all kinds of things to remind me of their infancy.

And now my ex has all of it.

After I divorced her I found that while I was really upset at having had to leave behind so much that I had treasured in life, at the same time I was really not too concerned anymore with material stuff. You're right, guys- it's liberating in a strange sort of way.

I have family heirlooms and things that have been given to me since my divorce by various people, all of which I treasure- but were it all to be consumed tomorrow, I don't know that I would be terribly bothered.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 8 May 2008, 14:35, 3 replies)

Ring Ring
As I said, my memory isn’t the best but everyone banging on about their rings (steady on Tourette’s) has reminded me.

My mother got divorced after a long marriage and was understandably reticent about forming new relationships. Eventually she met a good bloke who I would class as one of natures gentlemen but enough of a wag not to be unbearable or stuffy. A good bloke. Things went swimmingly and after sharing numerous holidays they moved in together and started to think of moving the relationship to a more legal footing. They saw the vicar, arranged things tentatively and decided that yes, next year would be the ideal time. They exchanged engagement rings and went for a short holiday in Tenerife. He died a few days before they were due to fly back.

The funeral took place back here and his family were very supportive and understanding. Until they asked her to leave the house they had shared. She wasn’t his wife and he died intestate. She accepted a one off payment to clear any entitlement she may have had and left the house they had shared so happily.

Cue six months later and she had recovered her balance and moved on. I received an unexpected visit one Sunday morning to be greeted with “I have something for you.” She gave me a small box and left. It was the wedding ring that my future step-father would have worn. I’ve never seen it as a prized possession but I suppose it is now I’ve thought about it and how much it actually means.

Apologies for mawkish sentiment but never for length.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Thu 8 May 2008, 14:33, Reply)

Really very easy...
Aside from the good Lady Doom, and the kitties, all of whom would escape pretty easily without my assistance, there's only one thing I'd run back in to save.

My piano.

Now... anyone want to give me a hand? The wheels are a bit rusty...
( Sonic James Doom forgetting the date since... umm..., Thu 8 May 2008, 14:32, 2 replies)

My pint
no use watching all your worldly goods burning to ash if you can't have a drink to commiserate with yourself.

Failing that my Strat, then I can reenact that scene from The Crow when he torches Gideon's pawn shop and purposefully strides down the street.
( Rotating Wobbly Hat That's not a banana. THIS is a banana., Thu 8 May 2008, 14:31, Reply)

Fire
Fire is not worth braving for stuff. If I had to go back into a burning building, it would only be for my fiancee.

Or possibly my kittens.

Look at them! They'd totally be worth having my eyebrows singed off...



And no, they wouldn't be able to escape by themselves. They are extremely stupid. One of them eats basil until she throws up, and the other walks into walls. But which one's which?

A small prize for Humpty Dumpty was Pushed, as he guessed correctly that Elfaba walks into walls.
(Rotten_Cointreau is a proper scientician, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:30, 6 replies)

Nice Nan
I had two nan's, I guess most people do. One was a mean-spirited old bitch who died in the same way she lived, violently drunk.

The other was my proper nan, y'know, always had lemon drizzle cake and an odd assortment of toys kicking around the house.

She had a fairly difficult life, and as she got older became more and more unhappy.

She married my granddad and was disowned by her family for marrying a foreigner (he was Slovenian). A few years into their marriage, he fell through a roof and died leaving her on her own with young three sons (one of which was my dad, obviously).

Although she was a lovely person, and loved us, there was absolutely no denying that she missed my granddad enormously, never remarried, or even considered it.

After she died, I helped clear her house, my parents were happy for me to take any memento and I took the thing that I now treasure most.

It's a picture of my nan, with my granddad, when they were newly-weds. It's the only picture that exists where my nan looks genuinely happy.

I look at that picture and see my nan as a happy, young woman in love, I never saw her like that in life.

It's also my inspiration to not let my life slip away by living in the past.

However, in the event of a fire, I would be rescuing my dog first, picture second.
(Jugular, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:25, Reply)

Gerald
I am a very normal man to all friends and acquaintances alike. I don't cry, I don't buy flowers or pretty decorative things for my house. I like football and metal and would think nothing of kicking a cat if it started to claw at my shoes.

Meet Gerald, my sunshine buddy.

A few years ago I moved to a strange city, bigger and further away than any place I'd ever lived before. I was several hundred miles from all branches of my extended family and though excited I was also a bit alone. So when I saw Gerald in the window of Forbidden Planet I bought him immediately as I thought my girlfriend would find him cute. Not me of course, I'm a manly man. But my girlfriend would like him. Gerald was posted to my girlfriend with instructions to look after him and within a few months she moved to the same city to live with me in my new house.

Gerald of course came too and he now sits on a south facing window frame in the living room getting the most light to ensure as much bobbing of the head from side to side. Every morning when I open the curtains I'm ashamed to say that I greet him with "Morning Gerald!" and at night wish him well with a "Night Gerald!". I love the spring for one more reason than most as it means that there's enough light when I get home from work to power his solarpanel. For the darkest months of the year I don't see him move except for a few brief occasions at the weekend.

And when my girlfriend and I split up and she moved out we discussed what was going where. She took some extra towels and pillows, I kept the toaster and kettle. She wanted to take Gerald but I was adamant he was going nowhere. I bought him, he was mine. And if you've ever lived with someone for so many years you've forgotten what it's like to go for a few days without hearing another voice, without having a chance to have a conversation with a friend at a moments notice - however brief - about nothing in particular, it can be quite disturbing how eerie and silent it gets.

But I was okay because Gerald was there for me. Always bouncing, always smiling.

So for all my expensive guitar, keyboard, amplifier equipment, the 3 PCs and 15 years worth of banking details, letters and other assorted crap - I would save Gerald, my sunshine buddy.

Words can't begin to describe how unbelievably sad and pathetic I feel having just typed all that.

EDIT: Pic updated to show Gerald in action on his very own windowsill.
( djtrialprice, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:24, 2 replies)

Sentimental / Priceless
an old teddy bear I had when I was a baby, still my mascot on my window sill. Can't replace that at all, I've had it since I was born.

Everything else is insured I suppose. I could only treasure something I genuinley couldn't replace on insurance or with cash.
( moohalaa, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:23, 1 reply)

One painting in particular.
I refer to my girlfriend on here as the Lunatic Artist for a reason- even though she makes her living doing administrative work, she's a very accomplished painter.

A couple of years ago, when we had been living together for a few months, she had an oddball painting that was of a strangely distorted bird in an electric-bright tree. She worked on that thing for a month or two, the one day layered it with gesso to cover it up and start over again. This startled me a little, but she said that she had been getting annoyed by the painting because it wasn't turning into what she wanted.

She started painting a very odd and abstract thing with a dark horizon line across the middle of it. On the left it's got a lot of reds and yellows and sorta fluffy looking shapes; in the middle it gets a bit darker and has some rather chaotic geometric shapes; toward the right it gets darker with blues and greys swirled in somewhat stormy shapes. As she worked on it the painting got pretty wild looking, but I could start to see the logic behind it as the soft rosy world melded into a confusing jumble of shapes that gave way to mists and swirls of darkness.

She finished it and gave it to me. Its title is "Timeline". It now hangs in my dining room, alone on that one wall, and I'm very fond of it.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 8 May 2008, 14:18, 3 replies)

tough one
To be honest what I cherish above anything else are my friends, soppy shit that I am, but it would have to be my Grandads Rolex left to me in his will, he passed away long before I could get the chance to appreciate how cool he was.

Its an old model, worth a bit and doesn't work, but i still wear it for weddings and funerals.

Other than that possessions i used to have that I would cherish quite a lot now was my collection of 2000ad graphic novels from when I was younger that my parents threw away many years ago, had some Zenith, Slaine - The Horned God and Chopper books that would cost the arse end of £1500 to replace now, oh well, its only material goods, in the grand scheme of things I can live without them.
(Halfy By light alone, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:12, Reply)

Oops
I've just realised that if there is a fire in my fourth floor apartment I have sod all chance of escaping down the stairs to safety.


Love


Prof Stephen Hawking
(mon bison powered by magnets, Thu 8 May 2008, 14:11, Reply)