On the 30th day of this merry month of May, it will be eight long years since my Little Lady, the love of my life, my reason for living, passed on to the eternity that she strongly believed in.
Though she is gone, she has certainly not been forgotten – she has been fondly thought of by widespread moments of memories by far more than just little old me. Many times her name pops up in casual conversation.
Though there undoubtedly remains a vacuum, beyond words in explanation, life goes on in the flood of pleasant memories flowing freely in her absence. True, there are bad memories, too. When devastating heartbreak after heartbreak ravaged through our life together, she was the stone that anchored while I was little more than a basket case. What needed to be done, she managed single-handedly. That was the story of her life.
I still sense her comforting hand’s soft touch on my shoulder. Often now, as then, while I’m tossing, turning and juggling the alphabet seeking suitable evasive wording on the keyboard of my computer, I sense her touch, and the word sought unexplainably pops directly into my mind.
One just never forgets her eyes that twinkled with interest and kindness nor her uniquely broadened smile of her double-dimpled cheeks. Both were readily waiting in greeting, each and every one, no matter where, when, why, or who she’d happen to meet.
Reminding me recently of all of this was a note sent to me by an acquaintance whom I met just a few short years ago. This I consider beauty unshaded and I definitely feel highly honoured to have received it. It is aptly headed The Train of Life and verbatim it reads as follows:
“At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side. However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. As time goes by, other people will board the train and they will be significant, like our siblings, friends, children and even the love of your life.
“Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don’t realize they vacated their seats. This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers, requiring that we give the best of ourselves.
“The mystery to everyone is: We do not know which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.
“I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life. Reap success and give lots of love. More importantly, thank God for the journey.”
So there you have it, folks – more explanatory words I could not link together – and lastly, but certainly not least, on behalf of, and in fond memory of, my one and only Little Lady, let both of us thank you and yours, each and every one of you readers, for being one of the passengers on our train of life. May you always have love to share, health to spare and friends who care.
Take care, ’cause we care.
barrie@barriehopkins.ca
519-986-4105