Just Another Hand Me Down?

When I was young, my parents  would occasionally present me with things that they had used or had been part of the family. Things of significance. . . family heirlooms maybe.

In my innocence, or was it ignorance?, I squandered many of those “presents” and now regret doing so.  Very much so.  

With age has come the appreciation for the little, albeit  important things in life.

Last night, I received a text from daughter #3 (aka Daddy’s Little Girl) with this picture.  It was sent to her by her boyfriend.  Little did he know how he hit the nail on the head.

We both thought that was pretty cool because she happens to be the proud owner of  a Littmann Classic II Stethoscope, in the mint green depicted in the picture. It was a stethoscope that I purchased the year she was born… 1995.   At the time, besides working full time as a funeral home manager in East Stroudsburg, PA, I also worked approx 30 hours a week as an EMT for what was then Monroe County  EMS Station 9, just off  Interstate 80.  My previous stethoscope was either lost or stolen, so I saved up a few extra dollars and paid for the quality of a Littmann. I also took the advice of my partner who suggested I get one in an unusual color as it is less likely to get lost/stolen in a crowd.  

That stethoscope was there to help me listen to the lungs of a newly born baby and to be the conduit as I occasionally listened to the  dying take their final breaths.    There were countless, less dramatic moments in between.                      

I wanted one of my daughters to be able to use it.  Kelliann did for a short time, but being independent as she is, she now does her nursing with her own  pink Littmann.  

I had a special celebrity ride with me on the Engine one day, a few years back. There’s the Littmann.

When I presented it to Megan as she started with her clinical hours, I explained how important it was to me that she have it and so far, she hasn’t traded it in. Next month, it will go with her to India  on a medical mission trip, caring for young children. 

It  may be almost 21 years old, but it is in near perfect condition and it will continue to serve her well as it did me….and Minnie.

To most it may seem to be just another hand me down, mint green stethoscope.

To me, it is a family heirloom. 

Sometimes, it pays to spend a little extra for quality that will last a few generations.. .  almost like a Tiffany Diamond.