The Walking Cane

I've been going to a grief support group at the hospice Dad was in. The social worker who conducts the group claims that when someone close to a person dies, their spirit remains with the person, and they'll find ways to "say hello" to the person left on earth. For example, according to the social worker, I might hear someone use Dad's favorite phrase. Or maybe I'll hear his favorite song on the radio, or I'll meet someone who has the same initials or first name, or, well, you get the drift. Not something I'd heard before, or that I was sure I believed. But...

Dad had a couple of wooden walking canes. He'd collected them since he had a stroke about 12 years ago, and used them when he felt tired or ill. Well, while we were going through his things, we found some books that we thought his best friend would like. So Jack said he'd stop by to get the books.

Jack always uses a walking cane. Well, when he came to the back door, I walked from the living room to the kitchen to let him in. One of Dad's wooden canes was propped against the doorframe leading from the living room to the kitchen, and as I passed by, it fell. I picked it up, opened the door for Jack, and heard myself tell him, "Jack, you know, I think Dad would be honored to have you take his walking cane." I didn't know I was going to say that!