27 People Share The Best And Strangest Things They Have Inherited

My grandfather gave me a German Iron Cross from WW1 that was brought home by his uncle.

I have inherited no things, no objects of any value whatsoever. My family had no material wealth.

However, from my mother I have inherited two qualities that have been invaluable to me throughout my life. My mother was a saleswoman. In the early days, she sold a variety of things - plastic products, cosmetics door-to-door, the toughest kind of selling there is. Eventually she graduated to b-to-b, and after that, insurance sales, primarily annuities to teachers. She was always successful. People trusted her - because she was trustworthy.

She taught me, first, that whether you like it or not, people will always judge you by how you are dressed, therefore be mindful of that fact; and second, that determination is more often than not, what determines.

These two lessons, which she taught by words, but more truly by actions throughout her life, have marked me indelibly, and I have inherited them.

Most days, I dress well, and indeed, it has been my experience that it affects how I am perceived and welcomed into the world, both publicly and privately. And I am focused and resolute in anything I commence. This has rescued me from many distractions over the years and kept me on track. Still does.

Thanks, Mom.

And thank you, Stephen, for the compliment of the A2A.

It's not mine yet, but my grandma has a sword my grandpa brought back from Japan. It even still has the imperial chrysanthemum stamped onto the blade. She says it's mine someday because my interest in history.

I inherited, from my grandmother, a pickelhaube helmet. Judging by the date imprinted on it, it was constructed, or issued in 1914, to a man named C.E. Juncker. Or maybe that is the company that constructed it? I really wouldn’t know, all I know is that it was bought in a thrift store by my great-grandmother in the 1950s. I also know that my grandmother, while she was in high school, wore it as she cycled around on a tricycle at a house party.
My Pickelhaube looks near identical to this, except the Eagle is the same color/material as the spike and mine is just a tad more run down. Other than that, its probably the coolest thing I’ve ever inherited, especially because I am a military helmet collector.

A couple of weeks ago some of us Neeners were discussing family members who'd been in WWI.

My grandfather was part of the expeditionary force sent to Europe in 1917. He was assigned to a machine gun crew. His entire squad was gassed by the Germans during the war. He recovered but could only speak softly.

I received his dog tags and a pocket knife. I was the youngest grandchild, still in short pants when he died. I like to think I inherited his love of animals and sense of humor. Both of these are less tangible than perhaps money but of more value than Swiss Francs.

I inherited a bit of a problem that I will likely never be able to bring myself to get rid of.

My dad was a HUGE runner. He ran dozens of races a year and always tried to do at least 12 marathons a year. Though he never did better than 8.

When he was in the hospital before he died, my brother and I mentioned to a nurse that his best Marathon time was 3 hours and 21 minutes. Dad indignantly corrected us to say his best time was 3 hours and 20 minutes.

In his office at HCC, he had an entire wall covered with his medals and plaques from the various races he ran.

So, after he died, his wife boxed up all his medals and plaques and gave them to me. They have been in a box in my hall closet ever since. I have no idea what to do with them.

Just to give everyone an idea of what I am talking about. Turns out about 7 of them are recognition from Dad’s last job or his job in Saudi Arabia. But there are also age group first place for Marathons back in the 1990’s.

I talked to his wife and she said that he basically stopped picking up medals and trophies after his races. All he really cared about was his time So this is just a fraction of the races he won.

I had an admin (aka: Secretary) who’s grand mother told her that she was going to inherit all three of grand mom’s time shares. This woman understood that the time shares were a horrible financial burden even if they were free, as she’d seen her grand mother have to pay the annual maintenance fees and try to trade her weeks at this “less than” locations with others. These were huge wastes of cash that this woman didn’t have. She tried to talk her grandmother out of it, and came to me scared that she’d be forced to take these properties and not be able to get rid of them.

I explained to her that she really needed to talk to an attorney, but it was my understanding that people listed in a will didn’t necessarily have to accept the things left to them, and these three timeshares were something she didn’t want.