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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: daytona beach
Watch: YG Yachtmaster II
Posts: 70
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The Rolex that Started it All For Me
TRF'ers:
My father received, as an engagement gift, a 1960s manual wind rolex perpetual datejust (I had posted pictures here a long time ago) (http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=94130) I had always loved that watch and finally, when I began law school, he gave it to me. As the years passed, I purchased my first new rolex (a daytona). By this time, my dad's watch has been through hell and back (before it was given to me, it had been water damaged, had a broken winding stem, etc., all of which had been repaired, but the watch had never been completely overhauled because we always lived overseas). So, I sent it for a complete service. It came back gorgeous! Anyway, my dad then "repo'd" the watch - with my blessings of course. My dad's newest post is HAITI and yep, he was there when the quake hit. Had he actually done what he vowed to do that New Years eve and take the early shuttle home, he would have been, in his own words, crushed by the falling walls in the TV room while watching desperate house wives. Fortunately, he stayed late and was in the Embassy when the earthquake destroyed his home, crushed his car, caused his pool to slide down the mountain and killed his neighbor. Everything in his home is buried under rubble - it will be weeks before anyone can bother trying to search through the ruins for personal effects. Considering the tragic loss of life and the ongoing suffering of hundreds of thousands, material things are dead last on anyones priorities. Its hard for me to really grasp that I came within one shuttle ride of losing my father (as I am sure it is hard for him to grasp how close he came to dying) And without missing a beat, everyone continues to work around the clock to do what they can. My dad writes that aid workers are sleeping on the lawn of the embassy (where it seems he is living). This morning I read on CNN that medical providers had withdrawn from some clinics due to concerns over safety with riots nearby. The situation is dire and, in a county with limited food, limited water, poor infrastructure, "dawn" seems far away. Part of me can't help but think of a little steel watch, buried under a pile of mortar and stone, gently ticking away as its power fails. I always thought of that watch as constant - eternal in its functioning, independent of batteries, a unwavering work of engineering and a symbol, to me, of my father. I am so damned glad its laying there alone. Like my dad, its been all over the world. Like my dad, its had its share of adventure Like all of us, its been knocked down and maybe its been knocked out. Or maybe, just maybe, through luck or providence, its really just fine! waiting under ash, dust, mud, brick and mortar for someone to come along and find it. And, when its found, part of me knows it will take a few gentle turns to set it all right again. So those are my thoughts this Sunday morning! We are all so truly lucky. |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 98
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Thank you for that post. A very heartfelt reminder to appreciate what we have and a reaffirmation that most of the things we worry about on a daily basis are either easily fixed or not worth getting upset over in the grand scheme.
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Rye
Location: Japan
Watch: Sundial
Posts: 2,156
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Thank you for sharing
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__________________
'The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited'- Morihei Ueshiba - Omega 3570.50 (77mil) Rolex 16610 (V) Rolex 1601 (1966) Seiko BM
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Watch: Rolex Deepsea
Posts: 8,726
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Thank you for such a thoughtful post. I really enjoyed reading it.
__________________
Rolex SS Blk Sub-C V-Series Rolex TT Blk Sub-C V-Series Rolex Sub 14060M V-Series Rolex Explorer II White V-Series Rolex Yachtmaster SS M-Series |
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Real Name: Dennis
Location: Bay Area - 925
Posts: 40,018
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Good post, definitely makes us appreciate what we have.
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TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007) |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Real Name: Peter
Location: Massachusetts
Watch: 214270 Mk2
Posts: 1,963
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Great read. Best to your father and all those in Haiti!
__________________
2016 Explorer 214270 Mk2 - 1996 Submariner 14060* - 1972 Datejust 1601 1972 Oyster Perpetual 1002 - 1978 Oysterquartz 17000 Omega Seamaster 2265.80 - Omega Seamaster 300 166.0324 *RIP PAL 1942-2015 |
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#7 |
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: The Airport
Watch: what happens next
Posts: 1,942
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great post. vERY well written
(and i dont even like Rolex :-) |
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Buz
Location: Atlanta
Watch: Rolex Tudor Pam
Posts: 5,108
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Excellent post that really puts into perspective what is truly important. I do hope that when things are a bit sorted out down there the watch reappears.
__________________
Buz The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live. Peter Diamandis |
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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: El Raf-O
Location: florida
Watch: tt GMT2c,Omega
Posts: 19,687
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Great post Aaron and yes,we are blessed!
__________________
member # 9862 Best bartender in the world!! Last of the Bastid Tossers p club member #9 |
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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Real Name: Dave
Location: Sydney
Watch: 118239
Posts: 413
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Top notch post :)
__________________
The world is safe again... but for how long? Current: TAG Heuer 2000 Classic, Kobold Phantom Tactical Chronograph, Rolex Submariner 16610, Breitling Superocean Heritage Chronograph A13320 (Crowe Edition), Rolex Day-Date 118239 |
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: World Citizen
Posts: 593
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Amazing post!!!! very thought provoking!!!!
Thank you. |
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Real Name: Mik
Location: USA
Posts: 13,723
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Thanks for the perspective. Great post!
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Real Name: Dan
Location: Essex, UK
Watch: West Ham! COYI!!
Posts: 7,941
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Great post.
& my best wishes to your Father & all in Haiti.
__________________
Onwards & Upwards Rodders...... Onwards & Upwards. ![]() Life is not about how fast you can run or how high you can climb........... It's about how well you can bounce!! ![]() ![]() ![]() TRF HALL OF FAME JANUARY 2010 ![]() |
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#14 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Tommy
Location: US
Posts: 260
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Great post!
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#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Dallas TX
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 2,812
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Wow..great read. Any updates????
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#16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: Alan
Location: Wet coast, Canada
Watch: A few, yes
Posts: 368
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Wonderful post! Best wishes to you, your Dad, and all of your family. Hopefully he will stay safe and well.
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__________________
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. - Steven Wright |
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#17 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Jesse
Location: Central FLA
Watch: GMT IIC
Posts: 447
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That puts some much needed perspective on things. Thank you Aaron.
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Real Name: Ron
Location: Alabama
Watch: Daytona,TT Sub,GMT
Posts: 4,673
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Aaron, that's a beautiful thread. I'm am glad for your dad's safety and best wishes for a safe return to the States. Our prayers are with him.
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Ron |
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