When a family’s elderly neighbour passed away, they were heartbroken.
They had grown close to 87-year-old Ken Watson, forming a special bond with the father-of-two.
But little did they know, Ken had planned a special surprise for the youngest member of the Williams family.
He left behind 14 wrapped presents to give their two-year-old daughter, lasting her until her sixteenth Christmas.
The girl’s father shared the thoughtful act on Twitter along with photos of all the presents.
“Our elderly neighbour passed away recently,” Owen explained.
“His daughter popped round a few moments ago clutching a large plastic sack. In the sack were all the Christmas presents he’d bought for *our* daughter for the next [14] years.”
Our elderly neighbour passed away recently. His daughter popped round a few moments ago clutching a large plastic sack. In the sack were all the Christmas presents he’d bought for *our* daughter for the next thirteen years. pic.twitter.com/6CjiZ99Cor
— Owen Williams (@OwsWills) December 17, 2018
When the story went viral, the dad decided to share more about their inspiring late neighbour.
Ken may have been in his eighties, but he never late his age hold him back. The daredevil parachute jumped over Swansea airspace three times.
He previously said his adventurous spirit originated from his time as a commercial deep sea diver in his youth.
The Williams would often enjoy hearing Ken’s accordion tunes drift through the walls in the evenings.
There’s some press interest in this story, so let me tell you a bit about the man:
— Owen Williams (@OwsWills) December 17, 2018
Ken was a former salvage diver, seaman, carpenter, baker...
The first time I met him, he was bouncing a 20ft ladder across the face of his house.
He was on top.
He was 83 at the time.
But the neighbour’s biggest fan was the family’s pup who would ‘scream like a banshee’ whenever she saw him.
This was probably because Ken fed her chocolate digestive biscuits, Owen explained.
So far, the parents have opened just one of the man’s gifts.
We opened one. We couldn’t resist. pic.twitter.com/vlNaRjoFoE
— Owen Williams (@OwsWills) December 17, 2018
“My wife and I think it might make a nice Christmas tradition to give our daughter ‘a present from Ken’ for the next 14 years,” Owen said.
What a sweet way to remember a dear friend during the holidays.
