New Member From Richmond Virginia

Hey y'all, new to the forum and located in Richmond,V.A.
I have been collecting coins and repairing/refurbishing antiques since a very early age. It is a hobby. It is a past time. Most importantly, it is a passion that has not lost the ability to bring me to that childhood excitement one feels each time discovering something new.
My first repair of an antique was an early model electric hand drill that had absolutely nothing wrong with it except that it had been completely disassembled. My father loved that drill and told me he didn't mind how long it took me to put it back together but I couldn't do anything other than chores, school, dinner, sleep, or putting the drill back together. He didn't help me nor did he encourage me to not give up each time I came to a point in the reconstruction of the drill that I realized I had it wrong again. He didn't discourage me with his impatience. He did reassure me that I was not being punished nor was I in trouble. Everyday he came home from work, he addressed my mother then us boys. My brother would get to talk to him or even go for a ride with him each evening. I was only asked one question, "Fix my drill yet"
It took me about a week to figure it out but I did. I had never felt so accomplished and proud when he came home that evening and he plugged it in and it worked just as it did before I took it apart. Later he told me that I had done something a lot of people couldn't do because most would either give up or not even attempt to do because of the difficulty involved. I learned more life contributing lessons with that drill than any other single experience in my life. That experience lit a fire in my soul and if someone told me something was broken or doesn't work, I would tirelessly work on it until it did function as intended. I didn't succeed every time but most times I did.
My first coin in my collection is an unknown year Lincoln Penny that was placed in a machine with a series of rollers atop the Empire State Building. The machine produced an image of the Empire State Building. A mesmerizing experience for any child becoming the proud owner of a seemingly simple token.
It's that simple token that enabled me to understand that every coin has a story. Every coin has been on its own journey and when that coin becomes a part of your collection, you become a part of that coins rich history. A totally awesome opportunity that some don't fully appreciate but value no less than what's due.
I look forward to being a member of the forum and exchanging ideas in a constantly evolving world of coin collection. Thank you for your time, I apologize for being somewhat long winded. Thank