Insurance replaces stuff but not what that stuff meant. So sorry for what you and your family and so many others are going through. Can’t even fathom it
Hey Steve, been meaning to message you for a while but don't have any clue how. I've something related to this post that I'd love to send you. Drop me a message either here or on Instagram (I'm @markcgrassick). I promise it's not a severed head or a promo album!
We have had two household floods in our life. One from a frozen pipe, the other from a broken toilet. Thankfully, nothing of financial or sentimental value was lost in either, but both made me question my love of the "object." In particular, my record collection, which is in the thousands, and how devastated I would be if I lost it.
Reading your posts since the fires have been both sad and uplifting. Your ability to be so reflective and philosophical in such a devastating and tragic loss has been truly inspirational. You have even found a bit of comedy in the tragedy (e.g., your final sentence on the Mötley Crüe LP).
I am profoundly sorry for you and your family, but I know you will rebuild stronger, together. With best wishes and hugs to you and your family. 🙏
Thank you. 🙏 Comedy—often wildly inappropriate—is my go-to coping mechanism. I'm glad a few others are finding something of value in these posts because it's pretty hard to write about much else at the moment.
Dude - I feel your pain, regarding losing your vinyl. I lost hundreds of just - album jackets in a "100 year flood" 8 years ago in Chicago and I was devastated.
And of course - this was also caused by climate change...
Even with my album covers gone- I STILL lugged my vinyl memories to Greenville...
And yes - it's just stuff, but I share the emotional attachment you've written about.
The smell of the records, the sound, the liner notes - the memories...
Again - I'm sorry for all that you've been forced to endure...
This was a loving tribute to records I know meant so much to you! Had to laugh a little at the Motley Crue blurb, though. I'm glad you are able to still find a bit of humor in all this.
My sympathies. I cannot fathom losing my music collection - it's followed me my whole life. I've kept nearly everything I acquired since I was a kid and I'm an old man now. Deeply personal. The same goes for my books and comics and movies. I have enough to cobble together a small indie record/book shop, which is rather ridiculous. Reading your piece made me consider what that loss would be like and while devastating, it would also be kind of freeing in a cathartic sense. Not sure that makes sense. As you're aware, it's a lot to haul around. Hope you find some peace. That is a difficult loss.
Thank you! 🙏 I think the “freeing” or “cathartic” piece is what I’ve been considering very recently. In middle age, I was already starting to separate from the idea of “defining myself” with objects…but this situation accelerated all those thoughts, considerations and conclusions. I’m guessing it will be a long process for me (and much, much harder for our kids), but there is a certain strange comfort I’m glimpsing in starting over with more intention vs. the kind of accumulating I did earlier in my life.
I can relate having been in financial straits when I had to sell everything of value. You'll be surprised at what you think you care about but never miss, as opposed to those things you are surprised to realize had unappreciated sentimental or utilitarian value. It's a painful but ultimately invaluable learning experience. But I am sorry you and your family have had to go through it anyway and that you've lost all your vinyl, which sounds like it's in that second category.
As always reading your words turns we on to stuff I didn’t know about before. So sorry to hear you lost your home and your collection. Losing my record collection which I started in the late ‘60s would sure be tough. I’m glad you and your family are safe!
Super nice essay and love the choices. Even a few new-to-me to check out, which is why I love your blog. I carted around crates of records for years and finally decided to release most of it to others before a cross-country move 22 years ago. Now have a small collection that fits neatly into the bottom two squares of an IKEA bookshelf. The vinyl I kept and buy today is specifically curated and a lot more personal that a ginormous collection. Good luck on the recovery, hope it happens with as much grace as possible.
I hope you keep these album memorials coming. I just bought a record player after years of wanting one, after having lost my LP collection to moves, damages, warps eons ago and currently have exactly 0 records. More importantly, here’s to your physical, emotional, spiritual etc recovery.
Insurance replaces stuff but not what that stuff meant. So sorry for what you and your family and so many others are going through. Can’t even fathom it
🙏🙏🙏
Hey Steve, been meaning to message you for a while but don't have any clue how. I've something related to this post that I'd love to send you. Drop me a message either here or on Instagram (I'm @markcgrassick). I promise it's not a severed head or a promo album!
We have had two household floods in our life. One from a frozen pipe, the other from a broken toilet. Thankfully, nothing of financial or sentimental value was lost in either, but both made me question my love of the "object." In particular, my record collection, which is in the thousands, and how devastated I would be if I lost it.
Reading your posts since the fires have been both sad and uplifting. Your ability to be so reflective and philosophical in such a devastating and tragic loss has been truly inspirational. You have even found a bit of comedy in the tragedy (e.g., your final sentence on the Mötley Crüe LP).
I am profoundly sorry for you and your family, but I know you will rebuild stronger, together. With best wishes and hugs to you and your family. 🙏
Thank you. 🙏 Comedy—often wildly inappropriate—is my go-to coping mechanism. I'm glad a few others are finding something of value in these posts because it's pretty hard to write about much else at the moment.
Bright Future In Sales was my anthem for many years as a sales trainer…
Kinda perfect for that situation! Although a little anti-sales too… 😉
Ah Steve, this is so heartbreaking, but I love what you are doing by giving these platters a loving memorial. Thank you for writing it all down.
Thanks, Paul. 🙏 Writing is therapeutic. Hope I’m not bumming too many people out.
Dude - I feel your pain, regarding losing your vinyl. I lost hundreds of just - album jackets in a "100 year flood" 8 years ago in Chicago and I was devastated.
And of course - this was also caused by climate change...
Even with my album covers gone- I STILL lugged my vinyl memories to Greenville...
And yes - it's just stuff, but I share the emotional attachment you've written about.
The smell of the records, the sound, the liner notes - the memories...
Again - I'm sorry for all that you've been forced to endure...
Sorry, man. It’s a lot, as you know. 🙏💔
New Day Rising is my favorite Hüsker Dü album, too. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Thanks 🙏🙏🙏
A great piece that must have been so difficult to write.
Thanks. 🙏 Actually feels good to just say it out loud.
A Keith-owned record too! Ooof, I’m sorry steve.
A few actually. But, ya. Stuff.
This was a loving tribute to records I know meant so much to you! Had to laugh a little at the Motley Crue blurb, though. I'm glad you are able to still find a bit of humor in all this.
Laugh thru the tears, my friend. LAUGH THRU THE TEARS!!!
Ah, Steve, this must have been hard to write. ❤️
Hard, but somehow therapeutic.
My sympathies. I cannot fathom losing my music collection - it's followed me my whole life. I've kept nearly everything I acquired since I was a kid and I'm an old man now. Deeply personal. The same goes for my books and comics and movies. I have enough to cobble together a small indie record/book shop, which is rather ridiculous. Reading your piece made me consider what that loss would be like and while devastating, it would also be kind of freeing in a cathartic sense. Not sure that makes sense. As you're aware, it's a lot to haul around. Hope you find some peace. That is a difficult loss.
Thank you! 🙏 I think the “freeing” or “cathartic” piece is what I’ve been considering very recently. In middle age, I was already starting to separate from the idea of “defining myself” with objects…but this situation accelerated all those thoughts, considerations and conclusions. I’m guessing it will be a long process for me (and much, much harder for our kids), but there is a certain strange comfort I’m glimpsing in starting over with more intention vs. the kind of accumulating I did earlier in my life.
I can relate having been in financial straits when I had to sell everything of value. You'll be surprised at what you think you care about but never miss, as opposed to those things you are surprised to realize had unappreciated sentimental or utilitarian value. It's a painful but ultimately invaluable learning experience. But I am sorry you and your family have had to go through it anyway and that you've lost all your vinyl, which sounds like it's in that second category.
Thank you 🙏
Beautifully written, cherishing my collection more than ever tonight, thank you brother!
Thanks! 🙏 Hold ‘em tight.
As always reading your words turns we on to stuff I didn’t know about before. So sorry to hear you lost your home and your collection. Losing my record collection which I started in the late ‘60s would sure be tough. I’m glad you and your family are safe!
🙏🙏🙏
Super nice essay and love the choices. Even a few new-to-me to check out, which is why I love your blog. I carted around crates of records for years and finally decided to release most of it to others before a cross-country move 22 years ago. Now have a small collection that fits neatly into the bottom two squares of an IKEA bookshelf. The vinyl I kept and buy today is specifically curated and a lot more personal that a ginormous collection. Good luck on the recovery, hope it happens with as much grace as possible.
🙏🙏🙏
I hope you keep these album memorials coming. I just bought a record player after years of wanting one, after having lost my LP collection to moves, damages, warps eons ago and currently have exactly 0 records. More importantly, here’s to your physical, emotional, spiritual etc recovery.
Thank you. 🙏 I'm considering doing more of these posts. We shall see.