There are several things in this life we know to be rare, resulting in millions of people seeking them out, or taking the opportunity to enjoy them.
These include seeing a solar or lunar eclipse, vintage bottles of wine, the first issue of a comic book, or being upgraded to first class without warning.
Sometimes, however, we take for granted certain things we just assume are part of daily life which are, in fact, quite rare.
Be it an uninterrupted night's sleep, a life-threatening illness, or a old recording on our DVR (or, for that matter a VHS!), some things we think can be enjoyed or could happen to anyone might be much harder to come by than we think.
Redditor f*ckandfrolic was curious to learn all about the seemingly everyday things that are, in fact, anything but common, leading them to ask:
"What is far more rare than people realize?"
Or, Perhaps, The Vaccines Are What Made It Rare?
"Tetanus."
"We get vaccines for it, but it's actually a bit harder to get than you may believe."- pheat0n
Meow
"Solid brown fur cats, apparently it’s some kind of recessive gene in them."- TheJadedSF
"We have a male tortoiseshell cat."
"Cat people tend to know they’re quite rare but others probably don’t."- Tacoma__Crow
In Love Cat GIFGiphyYou Never Know Who Your Friends Really Are...
"People who remain friends with you once you leave school."- GrockleKaug
"Good, honest friends who don’t have ulterior motives."
"The ones that genuinely enjoy your company and friendship."
"Hold onto them!"- ZealousidealWealth88
Think Carefully About The Last Time You Saw One...
"Blimps."
"I live in northeast Ohio near the Goodyear hangar."
"We see them all the time."
"I had to pull up a list, that northeast Ohio has 3 out of 4 operating Goodyear blimps named Wingfoot 1 2 and 3."
"Only maybe 12 are operating anywhere in the world, with a total of 25 existing at all."
"But we see them all the time at Wingfoot lake disc golf course."- Worried_Place_917·
good year zeppelin GIF by DiggGiphyMaking Others Green With Envy?
"Green eyes make up just two percent of the global population."- New-Tomorrow-4309
Not A Routine Occurrence
"Northern lights."
"The amount of people I’ve heard say: 'We’ve come all this way, what time do they come on?' Is staggering."- The_Town_of_Canada
Amen!
"Bit of peace and f*cking quiet."- Winoforevr1
Taking A Long, Hard Look At Ourselves...
"Humility and an understanding that we’re sometimes the victim and sometimes the perpetrator."
"No one is ever just one or the other."- Fitandfriendlydude
Money Talks
"Being a multi-millionaire."
"Lots of people faking it out here."- tab_completion
Some Might Say Thinking In General...
"Critical thinking skills."- hstarbird11
Thinking Think GIF by Rodney DangerfieldGiphySobering Reality
"Clean water."
'My son and I have been discussing this lately."
"He is a chemical engineer and works exclusively with water."
"Many of the studies he has been published on also have to do with clean water and forever chemicals."
"Water is a huge issue that is becoming bigger everyday and normal people are forgetting about it."
"Flint Michigan is in year 9!"- No-Fishing5325
Rare, Or A Myth?
"A stable, loving, peaceful domestic life."- reginapinsley
In Dreams, Maybe...
"Absolute silence and being in a place where no man-made light exists."- whiskey_formymen
black and white dark GIFGiphyPerhaps we can all rest a little easier knowing that some things that keep us up at night worrying are actually not a big deal in the slightest.
Or, next time we see and experience something truly beautiful, we might want to stop and truly take it in.
For all we know, we just experienced something that was truly once in a lifetime.
It's hard to imagine how to go on without the lost object–whatever it may be–but over time, it becomes a distant memory and we move on.
That is until we magically find ourselves presented with this opportunity proposed by Redditor mikehotel288, who asked:
"You find yourself in a room with everything you’ve ever lost in your life. What do you look for first?"
There are necessities people cannot do without.
No More Dry Lips Ever Again
"Gonna be a lot of chapstick in that room."
– camefromxbox
There are things that bring us comfort and are irreplaceable.
Safety Blanket
"My baby blanket. It became tattered over the years—to the point where I couldn’t reasonably wash it anymore—so I had to throw it away a little while back."
"I have heavily regretted that decision. I was really attached to it (hence it being in tatters), but I really wish that I kept what was left of it instead of throwing it away. Just knowing that I’d still have it would be a huge comfort to me."
– Uearie
Sentimental Heirloom
"The pendant my dad had made for me with my grandmother’s engagement diamond. It was 2 carats. It disappeared from a Las Vegas hotel room 20 years ago. It was hidden deep in a suitcase where it would not have been easy to find. It was just GONE. Cops didn’t do anything. Didn’t even come to take my statement. Cleaning lady said she thought she saw an elderly man enter my room. The guy I was with was not sympathetic in the least. Entire situation was f**ked. I’m still so upset about it."
– MaritimeDisaster
Lone Shark
"My plastic shark toy I lost when I was 10. Ain't no f'king way it just VANISHED."
– Guilty_As_Charged__
Not everything lost is tangible.
Tick Tock
"The time I wasted."
– shinyfennec
It Holds Value
"My private key with 6 BTC in it."
– Significant_Mirror19
"I didn't lose one, but I'll check my room for yours just in case."
– Smodphan
Finding Purpose
"The reason I walked into the room."
– Lloyd_lyle
Lost Opportunity
"That one girl i spoke to on omegle lol"
– h-amishh
If only we get to reunite with those we've lost.
The Loved Family Member
"My grandpa."
– Splatty_boi_420
Grieving Parent
"My daughter. She’ll be in my brother’s arms. So I’ll find both things I care to look for."
– SeeTheFence
Missing Mom
"My mom. She died of cancer in 2017. She never got to meet my daughter. I miss the hell out of her and wish she was still part of my family’s life."
– X-Arkturis-X
The Animals That Come Into Our Lives
"My pets that have passed: especially my horse, Blue. It's been 4 years, but it feels like just yesterday."
– Baciandrio
While many of these scenarios are unlikely, the thread gave people an opportunity to reflect on the things that made a strong impression on their lives.
Sometimes, the memories of the things we've lost–whether they are random objects or sources of love–is all we have.
Want to "know" more?
Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
Never miss another big, odd, funny or heartbreaking moment again.
Tunes Forever....
GiphyThe sheet music from sixth grade band.
I've found sheet music from when my mom was in high school. It's amazing what doesn't get thrown out.
The Wired....
I'm a cord guy.
There's an entire suitcase full of old cords and various other outdated electronic accessories in our spare room.
Funny part is my wife learned to love my habit after she picked up some old game consoles at a yard sale and I had enough parts to complete all of them.
Sweater material....
sign language buttons GIF by Sign with RobertGiphyThe extra buttons that come with certain clothing.
They belong in a shortbread cookie tin so you will be a successful grandparent one day.
The Switch....
I, until very recently, had a KVM switch on stand-by. 1-3, VGA, PS/2, USB. Not mint in package but still functional and lovingly cared for.
I couldn't imagine a possible use for it now, even in the post-apocalypse world we're currently sprinting face first into.
Still, tossing it felt like putting a childhood pet down. That wound will never fully heal. Only time my wife has seen me cry.
Lock & Key
swinging martial arts GIFGiphyA sword shaped key that no longer fits any existing lock. But I might want it later, right?
Sexy Straps....
I have a deep love for audio, video and coaxial cables. I have no idea why. It started about 20+ years ago. I now have a big bin full of random cables that I like to sit and sift through once in a while. There is something oddly arousing about the potential of these cables that just send my ovaries into a frenzy.
Some days I just want to wrap them all around my naked body and roll around on the floor. They give me a sense of security and satisfaction no man can fulfill. Typing this post is making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
The Backup....
Computer Working GIFGiphyAn extra, old laptop. It still runs but it's just old, you know? Still.... I can't bring myself to toss it because what if I need an emergency backup someday?
Clothes for Everyone....
Sweatshirts, in various sizes. I imagine that one day, a bunch of people will be at my house, except they'll be outside, like, in the yard. It will suddenly get very cold, and I will graciously hand out sweatshirts to everyone. The biggest person will say "Oh, I'm sure you don't have my size" and I'll go "Hm. Let's see" and toss them one in their size. Instant hero.
Pet Portraits....
A painted rock with dogs on them. I moved where I used to live many years ago and the previous owner forgot a stone that they painted (I assume) their pets on. They did a very good job so I can't throw it away. If for some strange reason I run into them I want to give it back to them. It's been years since I lived there but I still have it and I have no idea who these dogs are.
"travel plunger"
fx networks toilet GIF by Better ThingsGiphyI have at least five (unused) toilet brushes in my basement.
I did travel nursing last year and I bought a bulk package of them for $6 instead of spending $5-$10 every three months on a new one each time I moved (because I'm not toting a dirty toilet brush across the country). Still haven't used all of them.
I also have my emergency "travel plunger" tucked in the back of my closet, also unused. And a spare toaster and microwave.
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
