Celebrating the Timeless Lifelines of Love

 

I have been reflecting on a trip I made with my dear Dad while visiting him shortly after we lost my Mom. We took BART (rapid transit)  from his home across the bay to San Francisco to have lunch in the financial district at the World Trade Club.  This is located next to the Ferry Building right on the water.

 

We exited our BART train and proceeded to walk through the Hyatt Regency located there to get to the club. It required riding an escalator to an upper floor and I stepped on first, Dad right behind me. Somehow he lost his footing and I heard him yell and when i turned around he had fallen backwards with the escalator still moving!!  Luckily a security guard was right there and able to turn the escalator off as I ran down the stairs to be with him.  The guard helped him up and when he was steady, turned the the escalator back on and we rode to the top.  

 

There the guard pulled out a chair for my dear Dad to sit down and catch his breath, still shaking from the fall. I was in tears… I stood behind him with my hands on his shoulders and he placed a hand on mine.  Then he looked at the guard and I’ll never forget his words.  He said, “She is my lifeline.”  My heart was full to bursting.  

 

When he was able to settle his nerves and felt strong enough, we continued our journey to the World Trade Club.  I know we were both still shaking inside but we were together.

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He lived almost a year after our dear Mom left this realm.  I was lucky enough to visit him often over those months and we chatted each afteroon or evening on the phone. But I know life was just too lonely without her. I was his 'temporary lifeline'.  She was his soul mate.  

 

I love you forever, my dear Dad (AND dear Mom.)