Where I was and how I got here.

When I was growing up I had to grow up fast. I came from a single parent family. Well one mom many dads. It wasn't much of a family but it was all I had. Until one actually befriended me.Shortly after that my mother dropped the proverbial "bomb" on me saying she was marrying this man,but it would not be her last marriage. This man became the person I know and love to be my "Dad".

He brought to my life a structure and sense of self that was never in my life before. He brought many amazing new aspects of expression such as guitar,stamps,karate,camping and something i didn't appreciate then coins. At that time I was so into comic books,Dungeons and Dragons,TNMT the comic and the role playing game,Mech warrior.You name it if it was fantasy/sci-fi I was reading it playing it:living and not really learning about life.Sure bits and pieces my young prepubescent life,were good for me and some healthy for me,but all kids need to get out into the light and escape the escape.

Shortly after my new Dad and I had some time together and he let me know who was really in charge namely "HIM" not me. After the getting to know who is in charge period ended.We pretty much got along more like two brothers than father and son. He jokes now a days that I was the test child.Hahahah. I know that sounds bad,but I turned out the best of all his children. I think and I believe that he does as well.

Back to the story. Anyway we were getting along famously. When we were unpacking some of his boxes a few months later. He pulled out these two books not really the reading kind but filled with extraordinary information,images and treasures from around the world and here in the US.

Now you have to realize that my mother's father. My grandfather was a captain for TWA (Trans World Airlines) for those who don't remember the airline. American Airlines actually merged in 2000 with TWA that was way after my grandfather retired. So we traveled quite a bit in my youth,but we never traveled outside the US. My mother on the other hand had lived all over the world yet really never talked or I never was interested in her stories. I don't know which?Yet,I really never asked many questions about her life as she was growing up. While I was growing up. I guess I should start. Maybe I like talking more about myself.

Damn, I go off on some tangents don't I? Ah who cares, It's my story to with anyway

Well my new father surprised me by giving these books,filled with extraordinary information,images and treasures. One filled with stamps from all over the world. My dad grew up in Barstow,Calif. This was a famous or infamous area for a large silver mining culture. Yet his dad worked for Northrop working on some defense contracts,while traveling all over the world. To get his son excited about him "taking off again and,"he would send him stamps from the various countries he would visit. So there were stamps from countries I was just learning about in school. It was amazing for a young boy. The stamps really captured my sense of imagination,voyages and adventures.

I really apologies for my leaving it as they say,"Hanging in the wind",but I down loaded a terabyte it seems of viruses. Which took my tech about a month to heal with her magical hands. Believe me it has been liberating and annoying all at the same time. Don't you fret because I will have my nimble fingers speeding around my keyboard as of tomorrow,honest.

The coins that he gave me were in a leather bound coin case. Most of the coins were and are pretty low on the totem pole as valuable. Yet,to a young child treasure,booty,shiny and old. These are the words that still linger in my mind to this day. I still open that book of coins and those same feelings come to mind more so than the coins I have today,except for a few. I believe that my memories of that time are what keep me chasing clinking,clattering sounds and smells of dusty volumes holding these treasures.

My chase didn't begin but a few years ago. I still have much to learn about coins and the coins I like to collect. Stopping to think about it, it always was that brown leather case volume that returned me to this pursuit. I also see it as a way to connect with my father in my own way, even though he lives so far away. It is a constant reminder of days gone by,for me and the history that is with every coin. I sometimes wish there was ledger of who or whom had or has been in contact with these amazing coins that we take for granted on a daily basis. I am sure I am not the only one who has thought these thoughts. The stories that they could tell and the memories that are attached to them. Seems so enchanting that it's as if that pure piece, is the one true treasure that I am looking for, maybe not.

I usually collect modern coins and I am just now getting into earlier coins again. I think the reason being is that I am the first to own,collect and preserve these coins that I may have a place in history. Pretty arrogant right,I am sure I am not the only one.