Elephant in the room.

A bit of an emergency blip and not the most interesting of shots but there is a story behind the elephant in the room...

When I was a young boy I would sometimes join my Dad when he visited Neil, a retired Sailor originally from Bequia Island in the Caribbean. On his travels around the world, in addition to collecting many wonderful stories, Neil had acquired a range fascinating keep sakes and ornaments. Amongst them was this big wooden elephant.  

Each visit, before I would leave, Neil would tell me that if I could lift it off the ground I could take the elephant home with me. Every time I would give it my all, determined to lift the beast and take it home in triumph. I could never quite manage it but would resolve that one day I would be big and strong enough and it would be mine!

That day never quite came. Until some twenty years later when on the day before my wedding my Dad appeared carrying this elephant. Despite the time that had passed and my long since moving away Neil had remembered the challenge and the determination of a wee boy who had so coveted this elephant. It now takes pride of place in my dining room, serving as a reminder of fond childhood memories and of one very kind and thoughtful gentleman.