She told me as we approached the
destination that her boyfriend would be waiting outside for her.
There were several people outside so she pointed out which one he
was. As I was unhooking her wheelchair I told her that he looked like
a nice man. (I was sincere.) She affirmed that he was nice, very good
to her. When I went down to open the lift I realized he looked a lot
like my dad did in his later years with a salt and pepper mustache
and his straight gray hair. He said to me, “I have something for
you.” His girlfriend said, “He gives these to all the girls.” I
protested, “No, no, I can't take gifts.” The man insisted.
He presented me with a small plastic
ring that he had glued a dime to. “It's a dime 'n ring,” he
exclaimed! “I make them and give them to all the girls.” I took
the ring and smiled. It reminded me of my dad's friend, Herb who
would stick a dime in a paper clip and tell me he had found a “dime
'n clip” today.
I folded the lift, filled out my
paperwork and proceeded around the small complex to leave, but I
found myself in tears thinking of my dad. I realized I gloss over the
family members who are gone to protect myself from missing them too
much.
Here's to Mom, Dad, and Lee this
Memorial Day.
(Photo from 1991, Washington State)
