Hi, i had to share this story with you guys.
In France, on Thursday.
I was walking around taking pictures, in the afternoon, I decided to go to this park and try a new film camera.
That old guy asks me "is that digital" "nope sir, it's film". Then we chat a bit, and I tell him how I like to take pictures.
Then he tells me "hey, I'd like to sell you my collection of 112 cameras, for 500€" "heh, interesting, de me your number and I'll think about it".
Then i go take some pics,minding my own business.
He comes to me "i live just 5 mins from here, come take a look".
I say ok, and start to follow him. He tells me how he lived, that he was quite poor and saved every dime to buy his cameras during his life, that he's 94, and that his wife died in June. After 72 years of marriage.
That reminded me how last year my grandma died, and how my grandpa followed her a month after. 92 years old, married for 70 years or so.
So we enter his flat. He had a fuckton of photography material displayed in a glass shelf.
We chat a bit, I asked him if he was sure he wanted me to get his cameras instead of his grandsons. He told me he wanted someone who would take care of his cameras.
Then he said he was tired. We agreed to meet on Friday.
I decided to give him a canvas printed picture of mine, and behind it i wrote "your camera are in good hands, live happily, anon".
Then we met, and I start moving his cameras.
He said he was a bit sad to see his shelf emptied, but relieved to see his collection in good hands.

Before saying farewell, I handed him the money.
"Here's the money, you can count."
"it's ok, I trust you"
"thanks sir, it's an honor to be your trust for your cameras"
"with this money I'll be able to engrave a few words on my wife's grave"

That guy just sold his lifetime collection to be able to honor his wife.
Those words are just haunting me.

Pic related: it's a part of the cameras, I think he liked to buy cameras, but doesn't seem to be an expert.