The Things We've Handed Down

[littlepinkpiglet]

LOL I was looking for the Marc Cohn song.... whoops.

[anakin1814]

No porblem. I love that song which is why I named this video after it !:)

[bedoboy]

had to comment, I never knew you were raised Catholic like me and thanks to You Tube I am also exploring other religions of my friends and subs on here.

I still have my rosary beeds from my communion and have not broken pledge I made at confirmation not to drink.

My god daughter is 6 and will be making communion next year and 6 other nieces and a nephew of which 2 have made communion. I do not attend weekly mass anymore but do attend church for wedding, funeral, baptisms.

LOST FINALE in 2 hrs

[anakin1814]

Thanks for the comment James!!! You're going to LOVE the finale!

[rmtpjt]

The fact that you went shopping to multiple placed and couldn't find anything that you thought suitable shows how serious you take your committment. I'm curious if he understood what it was or not. You know they are still kids and probably won't be able to appreciate gifts and gestures like this until they are older. BTW-I read that you were called Punkin on another vid. Do we see exhibits of the reason at the end of this vid? John Denver Jr. You fill up my senses.

[anakin1814]

He's asked a few times about the plaque now. My sister told me that when she told him how old it is, that he thinks that really cool...So if that's all it means to him right now, that's cool with me! :)

[kayleewyatt]

This is very beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us!

[anakin1814]

You are very welcome !:)

[kayleewyatt]

my god-daughters are 25 & 21

my god-son is 17! My youngest god-daughter is about to graduate college with honors, and my god-son High School. I am torturing myself trying to come up with gifts!

[anakin1814]

I have no idea how I'd top this, so i never will try!

[kayleewyatt]

I am not trying to top any gift I have given, usually i feel inspired to write, cute appropriate poems for the occasion, but i have writer's block.

[anakin1814]

I have a friend a beautiful leather-bound journal when he moved away....i copied a quote in the inside from one of our favorite movies. My friend still jots things down in this journal to this day! Maybe let them do the writing? :)

[kayleewyatt]

no i don't want to see limericks, hehehe

was trying to keep mini traditions of mine,

[battlebauble]

Always enjoy seeing these aspects of your life, Gary. I can relate to everything you have said here, more than you know. You are one very cool and classy uncle.

[anakin1814]

Thanks Darl! I appreciate it! :)

[charlee2552]

That is so thoughtful to pass something on that has meant so much to you. Those are the best gifts. My father gave me his mitt, hardball and softball and it may seem funny, but that has meant sooo much to me. I'm sure your gift to your nephew will be very special to him. I love the family pictures ... they are always fun to see.

[anakin1814]

Thanks! With the first communion coming up, I knew I wanted to share the picts of mine...somehow that lead me to using other family photos too, which really seemed to illustrate the point. :)

[kopkitty]

aw i love family pics! Well i think it is wonderful that you are passing this gift to your nephew, i am sure he will tresure and cherish it! :)

[anakin1814]

Thanks! I enjoyed putting the family pix up there! :)

I'm glad to have passed it on! :)

[21stCenturyCat]

what a great gift, you could have spent a 1000 dollars and I'm sure it wouldn't have meant as much

[anakin1814]

Thanks man. I tend to agree!

When i told Derick what the meaning behind it was, I saw a look in his eye that made it all worth it! :)

[songcovers]

agnostic.. the way to be

[NotaTrollTravlin]

who knows- maybe your nephew will some day be giving it to your son.

[anakin1814]

Wow...I never thought of it that way! :)

[NotaTrollTravlin]

& May it mean as much to him when he gives it.

Those are the best gifts- the ones full of love :)

[anakin1814]

Very much so! :)

[hoppie182]

Nice choice of gift. It's always the gifts which mean something to you that will mean something to them. if your nephew won't appreciate this now, he will in the future.

Vote Ron Paul!

[anakin1814]

My nephew is too young to vote! :)

In the end, I'm really glad I gave my nephew this gift! It was hard for me to part with it at first, but I've come to terms with it. And even though he was more excited for the few toys he got, there was a moment that had a huge glimmer in his eyes when I told him that it was originally from my grandparents. So that's all I really wanted out of him! :)

[hoppie182]

that's great to hear! shame he can't vote xD

all the best, keep the nice videos coming. nice to hear from someone who is not biased in anyway towards religion etc. Hearing someone else say they would want children brought up into a religion to look at other religions and evaluate and decide which they choose to follow is a refreshing view i dont see many people stating.

Keep the vids coming my friend

[anakin1814]

Thank you.

My parents raised me in a way to at least be open minded enough to question the things around me. That doesn't mean I can't take part in tradition or find some solace in various types of spirituality found around the world. Somewhere along the way, I was able to think for myself while still seeing the positives that I was raised with! :)

[JohnPliskin]

(first of all, sorry it's taken my two days to watch this viedo)

Dude, I think it's great that you chose to do something as personal for your godson as to pass that plaque down. Yeah, religious gifts are often so cheesy or trite it's hard to find something worth giving, but you did good. You and I have talked a lot about faith in the past and it's a great discussion to have. Okay, I'm rambeling but basicly, good job.

[anakin1814]

You've been busy....no problem at all!

It took me a little time to come to terms with that gift and just kind of giving it up....but I'm glad I did.

I always appreciate our discussions about faith, I hope you know that. I know you and I are on very different spectrums of things, but our talks have helped me get closer to where I am today spiritually, and for that, i thank you.

[Suzbekistan]

Aunts and uncles can be such great role models and friends! One of the cool things about your gift is the note on the back from your grandparents. It would be great if you put a note on the back for your nephew as well to help tell the story and history of the gift. Sign and date it, and add your love! Peace, Suzy

[anakin1814]

You know, I got this comment from you about 10 minutes before I had to leave for the mass and I thought your idea was brilliant! I quickly unwrapped the present and put a quick note on the back (with the date), right under the note from my grandparents!  Thank you for the GREAT idea! The elders of the group collectively gasped when he opened the gift! :)

[Suzbekistan]

I was hoping I'd get to you in time! (My mom has a framed embroidery thing...I don't know what they are called. On the back is the record of who made it, and who it was passed down to through the generations. It's pretty cool...some day it will be on my wall) Glad you got the note on...sorry you had to wrap two times!

[anakin1814]

It was no problem re-wrapping it! I had to laugh at just how last minute the add-on was, but just how perfect it was! Thanks again! It really meant a lot to my parents that I did that!

[MrRay47]

If your nephew moves much after he leaves home he will definitely appreciate family heirlooms that are small and easily packed. I have some that aren't and although they take up valuable space in my small house I'd feel very guilty throwing them out. As soon as my son marries, they'll be his. :) aloha :) ray

[anakin1814]

That's the thing about family heirlooms, isn't it? If you get too many of them, they take up so darn my space!

Aloha! :)

[americannamor]

I've been thinking about the whole uncle thing lately. My sister is expecting in August and I've been wondering what kind of uncle I will be. She lives 8hrs away and I think the distance will make it difficult to have any real influence in his or her life. I think your nephews are really lucky to have someone like you to look up to and you are equally blessed to have them.

[anakin1814]

My nephews are one of the main reasons I live this close to home. I know my career would flourish in bigger markets, but that's the choice I've made in my life. Thank you!

[Neelefe]

Love the first communion pictures. It is a big deal that you are giving him the plaque. At this point, he may like the Chipmucks better, but he's sure to treasure the plaque later. I agree with you about the hokey first communion gifts in the store. When was looking last year for my goddaughter, I had the hardest time deciding on a gift for her, until a friend gave me a very simple rosary made of string, that she had bought at a market while in Mexico. It was very simple

[anakin1814]

I was amazed that it took me three stores before I found a rosary even! :)

[dl737]

I don't think you could have given him a better gift if you tried. As far as communion gifts and such, my wife normally goes to the church store to buy those. See seems to like what she finds there. Great vlog as always. And great pics.

[anakin1814]

Thanks Danny! I was a bit uncertain about passing it on, but now that I've "lived with" the decision for a few days, I'm excited to be doing it.

[Blizzeekitty]

Wonderful, Gary!

You are going to make an awesome dad one day!

My Goddaughter has three Godmothers. One to make sure she has has God in her life, one to make sure she goes to college and get a degree, and then me. My job? To make sure she knows humor and laughter in her life. I have to best Godmother job. :)

My son has been baptized twice. In church and in and Native American naming ceremony. He can choose whatever he wants to believe in life.

[anakin1814]

You certainly do have the best grandmother job of all!

And that's really cool about Cam being baptized twice! I think letting children decide what they want, on their terms when they are ready, is a great idea!

[Blizzeekitty]

You mean Godmother. Don't make me any older than I already am! :)

[anakin1814]

God lord! I meant grandmother!

I need to lay off the crack pipe!!!

[Blizzeekitty]

You did it again!!!!!

I am going to sic Maria on you!!

[anakin1814]

Oh my GAWD!!! I MEANT GODMOTHER. I MEANT GODMOTHER!!

For the love! Dont' sic Maria on me! She keeps calling me Beaker the way it is, just cuz I've Rick'Rolled her ass about 4 times the other day! LOL

[Blizzeekitty]

LOL!!!!! I watched that Beaker vid like 10 times yesterday!

[anakin1814]

I totally Rick'Rolled Curt AND Maria with that video!

And I have to admit, I think i look like Beaker! LOL

[Blizzeekitty]

If you looked like any muppet Beaker would be it! LOL!

[Blizzeekitty]

LOL Mi mi mi mi got spammed! Goofy YT!

Hope the conformation was nice and you had a great day.

[anakin1814]

Well, GRANDmother (LOL) it was a COMMUNION, not a conformation! LOL

And they day went great! We had a day full of pictures, cake, Guitar Hero (yeah!), jumping on the trampoline, and Alvin and the Chipmunks (cute movie if you consider the intended audience).

[Blizzeekitty]

Touche! LOL!!!

Great fun!

=^..^=

[anakin1814]

LOL!

[TamHickey67]

There's a generosity of thought and of spirit that money cannot buy and you Gary, have just proved that. It's a beautiful gesture.

[anakin1814]

Thank you! :)

[JealousGuy]

Lovely display here! Lucky little guy he is :D

[anakin1814]

Thank you!!! And happy birthday!

[jgcsm]

Honestly i think it a nice kind thought you passing down the plack ,in years to come you nephew will be reminded of his special day and the thought of you giving this to him ,

[anakin1814]

Thank you! I agree! :)

[thizizliz]

"Just being there in matters of love" - that's what it's all about. I'm with Roc on how clearly your love for your family shows and your sincerity is very evident. Given that you've shared so many things with them that are important to you, and the gift of your time, I'm certain that your nephew will appreciate the meaning behind the plaque. Good for you.

[anakin1814]

Thank you! :)

They really mean the world to me, and I know how much that I mean to them too. :)

[JeeprzCreepers56]

Aw your nephew is cute.

[anakin1814]

Yeah, they both are! :)

[trillian57]

It will be special to your nephew because it is special to you. Tell him some stories about your experiences with your grandparents. Knowing something personal about his great-grandparents as he gets older will mean a lot to him. He'll think of you and them every time he looks at that plaque.

[anakin1814]

Thank you! He luckily knows 3 of my 4 grandparents...which is pretty lucky for somebody who is 8 years old! :)

[IXGertXI]

You did sort of have that John Denver thing going on. I was always a big fan in the 70's. I like your perspective on the whole gift giving ... thing. ;) I think that's part of the reason I've shied away from organized religion over the years.

[anakin1814]

I still love John Denver's music.

To me, things like community, tradition, fellowship, peace, and love are the good things I can take from organized religion. A lot of the other stuff, as you mentioned, makes me want to shy away from it.

[IXGertXI]

You know what... where ever you find your strength that's the important thing. I just find mine outside ;)

[anakin1814]

Oh yeah. I find mine in a lot of places...outside just as well! :)

[OhCurt]

Definitely more John Denver than Cousin Oliver. Besides, you're no jinx!

("Rocky Mountain Hiiii-IIIIGH!")

But seriously, folks

Give me a personal, one-of-a-kind gift made out of random materials over any mass produced generic item with no sentimental history ANY DAY! Your nephew will more than likely gain a deep appreciation for it over time.

Cool new hair & glasses. I don't think you look like Beeker at all, Yo!

[anakin1814]

Better John Denver than Beeker, I suppose! LOL And for the record, I love John's music.

And that seems to be the common attitude towards this gift, so I'm glad I made the right choice.

[OhCurt]

Then again, a DVD copy of "Knots Landing: Season One" would've been more helpful to the development of their artistic tastes.

But don't worry, there's always Christmas!

[anakin1814]

Well, I had already slated a copy of Season 1 of "Dynasty" for them for Christmas. What's an uncle to do?

[OhCurt]

Dynasty over Knots Landing??

Clearly you've chosen the dark side.

[anakin1814]

Well, Anakin DID go over to the dark side.

The force is strong with this one! :)

[kenrg]

Very nice slide show - I know how you feel; I've got the same type of relationship with my nephews. Of all the titles I've had and things I've done over the years, "Uncle" is the best. Enjoy.

[anakin1814]

At this point in my life "Uncle" is by far my biggest accomplishment too, which is funny, cuz I didn't really have to do anything to get this going! LOL

Thanks for the comment, Ken. :)

[andymooseman]

Wow, that was some haircut Gary!

As others have said, that plaque might not mean to much to your Godson at the moment, but in the years to come it will mean far more than an ordinary gift. Your gift is something that has history & family tradition, you can't buy that in any shop.

You are obviously a very proud godfather & i'm sure you'll make a great dad someday.

Now you've got me thinking about religion, my take on it & also my own family experiences :)

[anakin1814]

Thanks Andy! I've been meaning to do a vlog about religion..About my journey and some of the specifics of my beliefs. I wonder if it would be a healthy discussion as adults, or would it just be too heated? I'm thinking of making it be well known that I'd moderate the comments and let ppl know that this is to share we YOU believe, not to prove that somebody else is wrong.

[andymooseman]

I've thought about doing a similar vlog at some time & your video has reminded me of that & got me thinking again.

I think you have a great & interesting idea here, but there could well be a problem.

I guess the secret to any video discussion, is that viewers/commenters should be made aware that everybody's views are valid & should be accepted, even if YOU don't agree with them. We are all entitled to think & believe what we like & nobody should be ridiculed for that.

I'm game if you are :)

[anakin1814]

That's what I'm afraid of...Could ppl distinguish the idea of a discussion? My closest friends that I talk about religion understand where I'm at, even though all in very different places. For me, with wisdom comes acceptance of the paths of others. You know, if we'd make it open that the discussion will be moderated if off course...maybe it could work?

Although I don't think it's anything i want to dive in anymore this weekend! :)

[andymooseman]

Knowing what this site can be like at times. I fear that a lot of people won't 'get it'.

If it was moderated it could work, but then some would see moderation as censorship. You just can't win sometimes.

I love that expression you used "with wisdom comes the acceptance of the paths of others" How very true that is.

Maybe after the weekend it might be worth giving the idea some more thought.

I've got 'Beatles Day' tomorrow, 11 hours of Beatles music to listen to & introduce :)

[anakin1814]

I'm quite jealous of your Beatles Day!! Have fun!

I think with the nature of our subscribers, we'd have a very fair and open discussion...its just that once it gets beyond that, the trolls and haters begin their reign of terror. And religion is such a hot topic.

If you want to give it more thought, that would be cool!

[andymooseman]

I'm taking my video camera & intend to get some footage of the day, so you may be able to see some of it.

I agree totally with what you said about our subscribers etc.

I'll give the topic some more thought.

Have a good day tomorrow as well. I expect you're looking forward to that :)

[anakin1814]

I am looking forward to tomorow very much and actually giving the present to him..yes. And I'll be looking fwd to your footage too! Jealous we have nothing around here like that. There is a Beatles-fest in Chicago every year that I need to look into going to.

[andymooseman]

Our Beatles Day is done for a cancer charity, with everybody giving their time for free.

It's great fun & hard work, but we raise lots of money, so it's well worth it.

At least i've got Monday off to recover!! :)

[anakin1814]

That makes it all the better being that it's for charity! And we know that John would have loved that his music was being used for that reason. That's really what it's all about! :)

[andymooseman]

We've heard via other people that Macca, who doesn't live very far away, knows about Beatles Day, but is not too keen on it. We've obviously thought about trying to get him to appear, but didn't think it was a good idea because of that.

It would be amazing if he ever did though :)

[anakin1814]

Hmmm...i wonder why he doesn't like it?

[andymooseman]

I'm not sure. But, i do wonder if he might be a little more receptive now that his personal circumstances have changed, if you get my drift? :)

[anakin1814]

Oh yeah, I agree. I don't think that was a good thing for him at all. And have a feeling that anything that was done in the name of the Beatles during their time together, she was profiting from.

[andymooseman]

Maybe next year then. As long as i get to introduce him!! :)

[anakin1814]

Gosh. That would be amazing!

[missdivinestalls]

I remember receiving a similar plaque when I had my first communion as a kid. It meant a lot to me over time. I think your godson is adorable an will learn to cherish it more as he grown older and learns how much it meant to you. These kinds of traditions are often frowned upon but I think they serve as a great way of bringing people and families closer.

[anakin1814]

To me, that's the real beauty behind things like sacraments, tradition, and religious dogma. If it's done out of goodness and from a loving place, then it can never be wrong. :)

[popparoc46]

Eventually, he will cherish the plaque, I am sure. Gary, I enjoyed this vlog very much. You are so matter-of-fact and sincere and open. Thanks for sharing these thoughts and memories. Loved the addition of pictures. I am not sure I got the Oliver comment. I don't remember Oliver from the Brady Bunch! -roc

[anakin1814]

Thanks Roc. What I had to say came quite naturally and from the heart. It was kind of hard to universalize it, so I just decided to tell a story about these things and in my mind how they all come together. This means a lot to, of course.

And Oilver was their cousin who showed up during the last season. Apparently Bobby and CIndy weren't cute anymore so they brought in a new cute kid! Annoying as hell! LOL

[popparoc46]

I certainly could see the John Denver image! And, by the way, it is easy to tell you were speaking from your heart. You have a very nice way about you and clearly, you love your nephews. I guess you better start thinking about a confirmation gift for the youngest now! - Unless you have another treasure stashed away for him!

[anakin1814]

I already started to wonder what I'll do for the younger one asI don't have that kind of treasure stashed away. Derick is my godson, though, so that's kind of why he'll get this extra-special gift. :)

[TheHappyShow]

A young John Denver.. Or Cousin Oliver? Just kidding, of course. Great vlog, Gary! BTW, this time the code I had to enter to keep posting was "shedymunp." I don't know what that is, but it sounds like a Hobbit name. I seem to always get interesting codes when I post on your videos. LOL!

-- Matt

[anakin1814]

When i see those wire rim glasses and that bowl haircut, how can I not think of John Denver and Oliver! Oliver was really a mini-Me to John Denver you know! :)

And HA for the hobbit name! I love it! :)

[TheHappyShow]

There was a John Denver special in the 1970s where I recall there being some sort of magic act wherein John went in a box and came out as the kid who played Oliver. I don't know if a clip of that has made it to YT, yet, but I'd love to see it again. Did you ever see that special as a kid?

-- Matt

[anakin1814]

Gosh. I don't remember that at all! All I remember of John Denver is his Christmas special with the muppets! :)

[gabrielized]

It's the story of the plaque that will mean a lot to him.

I always took seriously being a godmother - and now those girls are grown up and one has girls of her own. When it came time for their confirmation, I got each of them a book by Mother Theresa - not as a godmother, but as a great-aunt. Don't know the impact, if any - but who knows?

[anakin1814]

Thank you for the comment.

Initially I didn't take the event too seriously as much as just something I was going to go to for him because it's happening. But as the week went on, I started to realize that my role as his godfather should play into this.

We never know the impact, do we. :)

[LilCav68]

Did you look up Catholic stores? St. Anthony is my fav saint and that of my dad and it is the only place I can find him.

Pic at 7:06 - the best!

Grandpa and Gary.. yes!

Great video Gary!

[anakin1814]

I never thought to do that...The reason I went to the mall was that there used to be one of those religious stores there, but I couldn't find it. They probably replaced it with a baby Gap or something.

And I love the 7:06 picture too! It's on my iPod! That's a few years old already but that sentiment from both us us hasn't changed. And yeah, I really do look like grandpa!

[Minniver]

Gary, I understand the conflicted feeling of passing on such a treasure. Hoping that it is as loved and carefully kept as you have kept it all these years. I'm sure your nephew, when he is your age will also feel the same way about that little plaque.

[anakin1814]

Thanks Deb! I appreciate you sentiments, because yeah, I am feeling slightly conflicted about the choice for just those reasons. But yet, kind of living with this decision now for a 1/2 a day, it kind of seems like this HAS to happen...almost like everything lead up to this.

[lebowskiwinnfield2]

I'm sure he'll love it. :)

[anakin1814]

Thanks. :)

[JazzyLemmon]

you are a great person and I am sure that your influence will pay off! that pic at 6:51 is priceless!

[anakin1814]

Thanks Matt! That photo from 6:51 was the scariest day of our lives. We're all quite lucky that we escaped the attack of that t-rex! :)

And thanks for the comment! :)

[mtamorphis]

Thanks so much for sharing that with us Gary! You can tell as you talked how much your nephews mean to you and that is something very special! I am sure he is going to know how much this gift is going to mean, and will cherish it just as much as you have over the years!

[anakin1814]

This was actually a challenging vlog to get through without getting REALLY emotional on everybody! :)

[mtamorphis]

Well, you did a really good job! Kudos!!

[anakin1814]

Thanks---probably 'cuz the subject matter meant so much t me! :)

[zebidee55]

Thankyou for the pictures. I think showing him this video will explain it all to him.

I wish I'd had something personal to give to my God Daughter for her Christening, but I had nothing appropriate for a girl, so I got her a small silver perfume bottle from Tiffany's engraved with her initials, in the hope that it would be the start of an heirloom that she could pass on through the generations. These things have to start somewhere.

[anakin1814]

The summer before my nephew was born, i started working on a Santa Claus wood carving. I spent probably a few hundred hours on it. It was the first thing I'd ever done like that and everybody around me knew how much it meant to me. As my sister's due date came to be, i realized how badly I needed to give him that for his first Christmas (his bday is a week before x-mas).

[anakin1814]

So the day he was born, I got a little gold faceplate made up with this name and birthdate and put it on the front of the base of the Santa. It was the last gift I gave that Christmas morning and it meant so much to my sister. They still have that Santa sitting out each year and it means so much to us all! :)

[zebidee55]

That's incredibly touching. The closeness of your family is inspiring, and I'm glad they were there to help you in times when you needed it.

[anakin1814]

Thanks Michael! Somettime on Skype I'll share with you the deeper story of that one!

[zebidee55]

Yes, I had filed it away under 'Things to Ask Off-Air'.

Looking forward to it.

[anakin1814]

Hah hah! That could be quite the file! LOL

[Ranblv]

I think your nephew knows you love him and if you show him like you showed us how much this plaque means to you, he will realize its sentimental value. the religious connotation and the sense of tradition might follow on a later date.

Thanks for sharing what is obviously a momentous occasion for you.

[anakin1814]

You're very welcome Ran! I think the weight of the occasion kind of hit me like a ton of bricks last night...in a good way, but still slightly overwhelming.

[ralfonzo83]

another vlog which touches my heart.

[anakin1814]

Thank you! :)

[brojoghost]

Wow that's really cool. I think your nephew will really come to appreciate that when you tell him the story behind it. And I saw that you composed that music yourself, kudos to that!

[anakin1814]

Thank you! They have so much material stuff (partially because of me). I'm sure he'll be more pumped about "Alvin and the Chipmunks" at the moment, but in due time, I think just having it always be there will be symbolic of so much.

[LeSaMilano]

thanks for sharing those pics Oliver...er I mean Gary! LOL Holy moly you look like your grandfather.

Your nephew will treasure that plaque when he's an adult, that's for sure - probably the best gift he could ever get - he just won't realise it for about 20 years.

xxooxx

[anakin1814]

I knew you'd get a kick out of those pix. As soon as I knew it was First Communion weekend, I tried to figure out a way to show off those pix! And yeah, I'm the spitting image of my grandpa....It's actually kind of scary. And my brother is the spitting image of my other grandpa, so yeah, not an original in the bunch! :)

xoxoxox

[Chivalryaintdead]

I'm sure he will appreciate it in time.

I think of some of the small things I own from my grandparents, and I never realized how much I treasured them. They sort of are a connection to your roots. My Grandpas guns, My grandmother's little trinkets and postcards.

[anakin1814]

Very well said.

I have an old 35 mm camera from my dad that he used to use in Vietnam. The light meter is broke and so you pretty much have to figure it out yourself..but it still takes pictures. I love what that item has been through and what it stands for. :)

[great1138]

The plaque might not mean much to him now but it will and it may be the day he decides to pass it down to one of his kids or a god child.Hopefully it will continue to be passed down for many years to come and haha totally Oliver from bradybunch.

[anakin1814]

I have no idea when the plaque started to have meaning to me...although I will say I always did love that it was from Grandpa and Grandma. I think right now, it will mean more to my sister! :)

And thanks for the Oliver comment, Hiro! LOL

[silverscreamgrl]

I don't know that that he'll grasp how cool the gift is (maybe he will?) right now, but I'm sure he will at some point. I have very cool things like that from my baptismal that have been put away for safekeeping. Cheap, but lots of sentiment :)

I had a hard time trying to find rosary beads when Jojo was baptised! I finall found some, but later saw the coolest things at (wait for it...) a hospital giftshop!

[anakin1814]

Beth: I only found the rosary beads at that last religious book store that I looked at, but by then, I was really pre-occupied with the "Should I give him the plague or not" idea. Sadly enough, I can't find my rosary beads that I got for my communion.....I think I lost them in a move many years ago.

I guess if you're looking for that type of thing, look under "religious bookstores" and that might help.

[devosha2008]

What a sweet sentiment. Those gifts are the best of gifts always. Your a very thoughtful person, as well as an awesome uncle. I laughed about the Oliver crack. hugs missy

[anakin1814]

Thanks Missy! I can't deny the Oilver comment, so I thought I'd get that out of the way before somebody else mentioned it! :)

[Kloxboy]

I was once Lutheran, for a while I was Catholic and for a long time I was agnostic. Religion/spirituality have been a journey for me, I've explored a few faiths throughout my lifetime and have drawn my own conclusions as to "how I came to be and where I'm going". I try to stay open minded to new ideas but overall, I'm currently leaning towards naturalism and a form of atheism. Mind you, that was all just informational, it was not meant to start a religious discussion or debate. Take care.

[anakin1814]

I've come to terms that religion is a journey for me as well...something I can never fully set in stone. I found a lot of frustration in that at first, but now I've kind of learned to embrace the journey and find that meaning in that itself. It's also quite important for me to stay open to new ideas as it slowly helps my journey evolve. It sounds like our paths where spirituality is concerned is very similar. I want to do a full on vlog about this some day. Thanks for the comment! :)