Anyone who knows me knows I'm about as "odd" and quirky as they come, I've always noticed and been fascinated by things that no one else would even notice or CARE about, when I was little I always named and gave HUMAN traits to inanimate objects... So I want to relate this silly and sweet childhood story of mine.

When I was little my parents lived across the street from a garment factory. I have a memory of being about 3 or 4 years old, standing on our front porch looking at the building across the street, and for SOME reason I SQUEALED, no idea why, but as I screamed, something caught my eye, this little silver exhaust pipe magically ROSE UP from the roof of the building! I have NO IDEA what was going on but that's how I remember it.

And it's been there every since! As I grew up the parking lot of the building was my playground, where I took walks with my mom, rode my bike, etc... but that silver exhaust pipe always fascinated me, I would always just gaze up at it with intrigue, wondering what I actually saw when I screamed many years ago and thought it magically appeared there!

Over the years the garment factory closed and other factories moved in, such as a metal factory, and the pipe stood firm. One saturday as I rode my bike, I even tried to climb up onto the roof to look at it up close!

Even today at age 44 when I visit my parents, I still find myself gazing over at it, giving it a little nod as my constant childhood "guardian" and maybe the first thing I ever remember seeing that seemed "magical" to me.

Well the other day I drove by the building and it was totally "remodeled" painted a dreary gray color, and the pipe was GONE. The first thing I said was, "My little pipe is gone" :( and I actually shed a tear, call me goofy if you want, but I couldn't help it. No one probably even noticed it but me and it was so intriguing to me as I was growing up, now probably in a dump some place.

I just wanted to share this silly story, and wanted other people to know the story of little mystery silver pipe that watched over me all my life lol

So here's to you little pipe, You stood the test of time and stood strong over over 40 years at least, you saw factory after factory move in and out, you saw me in the Spring time days of my youth happily playing without a care in the world, you saw my laughter, my tears, my scrapped legs, etc.. and watched me grow up, during milestones, birthdays parties, you saw my first day of school, my highschool graduation, my first job, etc.... You watched over me my whole life and you won't be forgoten :):wave:

I tried to read some of the above, but I get lost in the long rambling posts...hope others will reply.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm about as "odd" and quirky as they come, I've always noticed and been fascinated by things that no one else would even notice or CARE aboutThat sounds like me!!


That pipe was probably for a stove or furnace......... They must have moved it,otherwise the pipe would still be there :)


Thanks for sharing that!!

That sounds like me!!


That pipe was probably for a stove or furnace......... They must have moved it,otherwise the pipe would still be there :)


Thanks for sharing that!!


I was told it was over their break room, I only ever saw inside the factory once lol But the parking lot holds a lot of nostalgic memories for me, thanks for reading :)

I just now notice it looks like it has a smiley face on it if you look closely lol

I tried to read some of the above, but I get lost in the long rambling posts...hope others will reply.. Speaking of long rambling stories, I read the newspapers and the articles go on and on. I lose interest fast. Stories of years ago, specially newspapers unless they were world news, would be short and hold your interest. Now they have so many different sections. Now 3 articles on several pages and 4-5 big ads on the rest.

If it was over thier break room maybe it was for a fan..........


I liked seeing that!

If it was over thier break room maybe it was for a fan..........


I liked seeing that!

Likely so :) I'm just glad I got the little pipe's story out there lol Thanks for reading :)

Your welcome sweetie thank you for sharing :)

Beautiful story! There are stories like this that are especially meaningful to the child involved, and they will remember fondly over the years.

I thank everyone for reading my silly childhood story/memory :)

Thank you for telling us :)

It's an exhaust fan. When the wind blows, the fan's blades turn and suck the stale air out of the room through a vent. All houses and buildings have them.

I too, have somewhat of a fascination with certain inanimate objects, but for me, it's the effort that went into making them. Growing up, we amassed several various styles of sharp knives for cutting meat, etc. at the dinner table. One of the knives my mother bought turned out to be not so sharp, and not good for cutting so we were going to throw it away. Then I felt sorry for it and adopted it as my knife. I don't use it much now, but I still have it in the drawer, along with many other utensils that have little else but sentimental value.