@AlexandraCLampard
There were other things that Dad said to me that I should share with you, but they don't belong in cyberspace.
I have your phone #, but I won't "chase" you. Should you ever wish to talk, our landlines are 780-487-9066 and 780-487-4329 (I think I lose my cellphone every trip I make; I travel extensively on business).
I think I just deleted a message to you (I've been on facebook since 2009, but couldn't bring mysrlf to use it, so I'm hardly a pro!)
I don't know if Dad ever told you, but he came to Edmonton after the trip both of you made. Kaiser was with him - they were just in Calgary. I've replayed that meeting a million times - he was so serious that I lambaste myself that I should have known that something was seriously wrong (I remarked that he had kost a lot of weight). 3 days ago I cried for that "dumb dog" as much as I did for Keith (I know that what I was really crying for was wishing for the times that we (Dad, Kristyn, you and I - and of course the zoo - laughing till we were sick when you would say things like "Kaiser - who's a boy dog!"and he would absolutely howl!"
Just before he left, we hugged, and then he sternly held me by my shoulders and said so very,very seriously:
"Promise me - and I mean it - promise me with all your heart that you will take good care of yourself, no matter what!" He was so, so serious!
I will now give his words to you. I love and miss you so much.
Be happy, Baby: if you are lucky enough to find true love then never let it go. It brings me joy to see the joy in your eyes. I am so grateful that you have been able to open yourself to love, because it always opens one up to the fear of the pain of loss. I have been with my fiancee, Lawrence for 4 years, and I am so blessed that he understands that true love is eternal: as Shakespeare once said ( I can't say "quote" because it has been a very long time since i studied him):
Love is not love if it alters when it alteration finds;
Oh, no, it is an ever fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken..