Warms the cockles!

Ann is our neighbour, just two doors south of us, who is moving away due to external circumstances which have no place in this blog. It was soon after I'd got back from work that she was knocking on our door, a package in hand. Not something dropped off by a courier, oh no! This was a small black rucksack.
Invited in and sat with Bev and I in the living room, cup of tea in hand, we chatted about the forthcoming move and what that entails as she moves forward with her life. Just twelve weeks ago, Ann became a grandmother for the first time and she was full of it. Her late husband, Phil, wanting nothing more for himself. Sadly he passed away never achieving this goal, but Ann is very positive about life and how things happen for a reason. So back to that package! Phil was a keen birder, and it was Ann's wish that the contents of this bag were put to good use, rather than stuck in a cupboard. I think I was expecting a pair of ancient binoculars - not sure? What was revealed beggared belief. There, in this dusty bag, was a spotless Sigma 170 - 500mm (and I mean a fully functional, un-used version), a Sigma 55 - 200mm and Canon 18 - 55mm lens. "Could I use them?" Absolutely gob smacked - why? She told us that Phil would want them used for the purpose he bought them. They were gifted to me, because she hoped that I would be able to put them to good use. She had no idea I owned a Canon camera, yet fate had delivered a brilliant twist thus this outcome. Ann steadfastly refused any monetary settlement, so I offered a donation to The Salvation Army, of which she and Phil were members. Thankfully this gesture was accepted.

I nicked this image from E-bay, so not the lens that Ann has given me.

I really am unable to put into words the gratitude I feel because of this display of generosity. Having experienced the power of devout Christianity, as Mum and Dad left this mortal coil. I am, once again, finding myself asking questions!