# Of all your possessions, which has been with you for the longest time? And why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 23, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543 "2013-09-23T20:40:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/61 "2013-09-24T15:49:48Z")
Every time I move, I have to put as much as I can in two suitcases and a backpack, so there are some hard choices to make. But I have my birth certificate and a variety of old photos among the stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/62 "2013-09-24T15:54:44Z")
I’m pretty sure I still have a commemorative coin my uncle gave me in 1962 or 63. Failing that, I still have my 7th grade baseball glove. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/63 "2013-09-24T16:32:06Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > A snowman doll I had when I was a baby. You mean it hasn’t melted after all these years? 😕 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/64 "2013-09-24T17:15:28Z")
I wouldn’t know where to start. I inherited almost all of my mother’s antiques and other possessions including my great whatever’s grandmother’s rocking chair which crossed the plains in a covered wagon, and Havilland dishware that’s pushing 200 years. Hell, my bedroom furniture is pre-Civil War - and it isn’t even family. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/65 "2013-09-24T17:22:35Z")
Other than a couple of books, the oldest single thing I own is my bong – it’s about 35 years old. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/66 "2013-09-24T17:38:57Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > I have a book from when I was _very_ tiny called “Mr. Schnitzel’s Cookies.” It’s an “entertaining angels” type of story about a very kind bakerman, a mysterious hobo just passing through town, and the bakerman’s greedy and shallow neighbors, the grocers. > > The message I took away from this book is “Be Kind.” I never forgot it. I have this book too! Isn’t it lovely? ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/67 "2013-09-24T17:57:22Z")
I’ve moved 5 times in the past year and a half, and I moved cross country in a Toyota Yaris a couple months ago. I’ve worn out or gotten rid of almost everything I owned 5 or 10 years ago, but I have a couple keepsakes - an antique end table my parents had for my entire life and I took when I moved out of their house, my grandfather’s shaving tray from the 1940s, and a lamp, some books, and a small stuffed animal I’ve had since I was an infant. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/68 "2013-09-24T17:58:51Z")
An enamel purse from the 1920s, given to me by my paternal grandmother when I was around 14 or so. (I’m 54). A sterling silver unicorn pendant given to me for a HS graduation gift by my then stepsister. A single gold nugget earring (I lost the other one) given to me by my dad when I was 16. A Lady Liberty Silver dollar given to me by my then husband’s best friend when our daughter (now 32) was born. Sorry, that was more than “the thing”. But they’re all sentimental value and have been around for a long long time. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/69 "2013-09-24T18:06:46Z")
A lot of stuffed animals, hey, particularly teddy bears. I hadn’t thought many folks would list them as their longest held possession. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/70 "2013-09-24T18:51:42Z")
I still have and use the night table I had as a kid. I don’t recall ever not having it, so it is well over 55 years old. I have all the sf books I bought from the Scholastic Book Club in 6th grade,. 1961. My wife has all the Golden books she was read when she was little, and we have a lot of the furniture that was in her house from before she was born, if that counts. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/71 "2013-09-24T20:50:35Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > A lot of stuffed animals, hey, particularly teddy bears. I hadn’t thought many folks would list them as their longest held possession. Less shame when I’m a faceless nonny on the Internet. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jennyrosity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/72 "2013-09-24T21:00:31Z")
I have a bracelet which was bought for me in Paris for my 2nd birthday, so 33 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/73 "2013-09-24T21:06:40Z")
The oldest thing I have in my possession is my Great Grandfather’s double barrel shotgun from ca.1910. I do keep it in my Dad’s gun safe but it is mine, it also works just fine. There is a problem with it, it’s provenance. My GG father was a know bender of the truth(liar) and he claimed it was his while he was a guard at Leavenworth. IOW it could be much older, it looks to be modified from percussion caps. There is no proof he ever worked in a prison. **Capt** ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/74 "2013-09-24T21:29:42Z")
A miniature (2") cap gun and holster that was pinned on my diaper as a baby. Actually, the original diaper pin is still there, too. The diaper itself is long gone. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/75 "2013-09-24T21:31:26Z")
> [@Scubaqueen](#): > > Hell, my bedroom furniture is pre-Civil War . . . And it’s been yours all that time? And I thought _ **I** _ was an old guy. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/76 "2013-09-25T01:12:40Z")
My birth announcements. I have one that would be the kind that the parents would send out to all their friends and another very plain one from the hospital I was born in saying who the parents and obstetrictian are. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/77 "2013-09-25T01:17:06Z")
Just off the top pf my head, I think it would be my dresser. I’ve had it since I was five years old. I’d like a new one, but don’t care to go shopping. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/78 "2013-09-25T01:30:31Z")
I have some family furniture that I have been given over the years, but I don’t think that counts as much as the three stuffed animals that I treasure. Eeyore was made for me by my Mom before I was school age and I remember her sewing him for me and getting his ears not quite right. I have the pony my father brought back from a business trip when I was seven or eight and a stuffed mouse in a blue velvet jacket that may have been my Mom’s when she was little. They’re all a little battered, have missing eyes and worn fur, but I love them as much as ever. They have all followed me through every move and all hang out together in my room. I’d probably grab them first in a fire. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/79 "2013-09-25T02:11:20Z")
I still have my collection of Matchbox cars (but none of the boxes they came in). I got my first one in 1966 when I was 10. They’re in pretty good shape overall. I keep them in a collector’s case just like [this one](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/3076963944_3943d7c17f.jpg), also from the 60s. One of them is the Ford GT pictured on the case (“Matchbox Series No. 41”). ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543/80 "2013-09-25T02:39:14Z")
I have a few old tems from early childhood but I don’t treasure them. I just saved them beacuse they were passed down. I don’t even keep photos. I have one small phot album my exwife put together for me years after our divorce. I do have one item I treasure from when i was about 21 years old. A small box with a hinged lid for mens jewelry watches ect, it has a carving of an all white English Setter on the lid that looks just like my favorite bird dog. After more than 40 years I still look at it daily with fond memory. It sits right on my computer desk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-your-possessions-which-has-been-with-you-for-the-longest-time-and-why/669543.md?page=5)