[Leica] a nice gift at a sad time

[ruben at rhodos.dk (Ruben Blædel)]

My father in law is 88 years old and has worked as a doctor almost all 
his life in developing countries in Africa.
Before he was stationed in Ethiopia in the late 1950ties and just a few 
months after my wife was born he bought a Leica M3 with a Summicron 50 
mm 2.0 with near field specs and a Leica meter. That Leica followed him 
to Ethiopia and later to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. It was serviced at 
Leica a couple of times due to fungi and other "illnesses" from being in 
the humidity of the tropics but is in really good condition. All 
pictures of my wife and her brothers growing up in Africa was shot with 
that wonderful camera.
This weekend I visited my father in law together with my wife and my two 
daughters
We had not seen him for a 5 weeks since as he needed peace trying to 
recover from two cancer operations.
He was very weak but insisted on sitting with us for a cup of tea.
I lost my father last year so I know what is going trough my wifes and 
children's heads - all the questions they would like to ask - the fear 
of loosing him etc.
It was tough trying not to show him how worried we all are.
He is due for another surgery Thursday and the odds are not to good
At the end of our visit he need to rest but just before we left he 
called me and asked me if I would go into his study and fetch a box on 
his desk
I had no idea  what was going on, but i did bring the box to him, and he 
opened it and asked me If I would like to have his Leica because he 
thought that I would be the one that could bring it to good use.
I was very proud and honored - and yet very sad because it felt like by 
accepting this great gift from him, I also realized  that it might be 
his way of saying that he would not be around for much longer - I guess 
doctors have a way of knowing these kind of things.
I feel the best way I can show my gratitude is by bringing it to good 
use and shoot some beautiful pictures - I have not used analog for a 
while - at work I no longer use slides but a Canon 5d 3 with - but I 
still have some rolls of Efke B&W 25 ISO film - I actually look forward 
to use analog again and especially with the close focus ability of the 
50 summicron.
It might not be right away - but I will post a link when I get some film 
through the old M3
Have a lovely evening
Ruben