He sat with his back to her, at a picnic table on top of the hill overlooking the lake, but there was no mistaking who he was.
    As she approached, grass soft and moist beneath her bare feet, he turned to her and smiled that smile she could never forget, would never forget.
    He stood with outstretched arms. "Mary, come give your Papa a hug," he said.
    She could never refuse her grandfather anything and a rush of unconditional love enveloped her as they embraced. Tears fell from her eyes as the wall that had been sealed tight around her heart broke open.
    "How do you always know when I need you, Papa?"
    He released her from his arms and sat her on the bench next to him.

    "You're my daughter's child. It's not like I can hear you calling, but I feel it here," he said and laid his hand across his heart. "We're family, and that doesn't end when you pass on. It's a bond that transcends time and space."
    Mary looked into her grandfather's blue eyes, a reflection of her own, and memorized his face because she knew it would be a long time before they met again. It had always been like that since Papa died. He knew when she needed him and he always came to her at the same place in Webster Park, on the hill overlooking Lake Ontario, where they had spent so many Sundays enjoying picnics and swimming away the summer's sizzle with the whole family.
    "You're very worried about something, Mary, and I can't read minds. What is it that's tearing you apart inside?"
    Mary looked out at the lake.  Its surface sparkled under the sun's gaze.
    "I'm ill, Papa, and I'm afraid. I have kidney cancer. It hasn't spread and they said that in most cases of catching it early like mine, once they remove the kidney, I will make a full recovery. I've been through enough surgeries to know the routine, but it's really not even that that's eating at me, although it has made me examine things in my life."
    "Facing one's mortality has a way of prompting one to do some mental inventory. So, tell me, Mary, what is causing such pain?"
    "I need to end my marriage, Papa. I imagine you think I'm a horrible person after so many years of just about willing it to stay intact despite the toll it has taken on me. I can't do it anymore!  His anger, constant depression and foul moods are sucking every bit of life from my soul. I want to wake up knowing that I don't have to face that anymore."
    "Your grandmother and I were very fortunate to have spent forty-nine years together. Those were different times. And, you should know that I or your grandmother would never judge you. I know the hell that you have lived through. Nothing should be that difficult for so long. You paid your dues for a lot longer than most people would, the kids are older, and you need to start taking care of yourself, Mary."
    The tears began again and Papa put his arm around Mary's shoulder and pulled her close.
    "This is not how I planned on things happening!" she cried.
    Papa laughed.
    "Ah, well, unfortunately, my dear, life has a way of interfering with our plans. You have your grandmother's and my blood running through those veins. We're a tough strong people and you have inherited that. You will do just fine. Grab a hold of life and run with it, like you did when you were a kid. You just about ran every where back then and you were quick. Remember when you used to try to fly? You'd run so hard and fast and then leap into the air hoping that you'd take off!" Papa laughed the hearty laugh that Mary loved.
    Mary laughed along through her tears at the memory and smiled at her grandfather. How she loved him!
    "It's time for you to go, isn't it, Papa?"
    "Yes, it is, but I will always be waiting here for you when you really need me."
    "I know, Papa, but I will miss you so."
    "We'll be together again, if not here the next time life throws you a curve, it will be when you cross over from the earthly plane. Just always remember, you are never really alone. There's lots of us here who are pulling for you, Mary."
  Papa and Mary hugged each other. Mary didn't want the moment to end.
  "Now you go back home and remember where you came from. I promise happiness will find you."
  Mary started walking across the grass away from Papa. She turned to wave good-bye, but he was already gone. In the distance, a persistent ringing could be heard and it kept getting louder.
  When Mary opened her eyes, and looked around, the familiar blue of her bedroom walls greeted her. She turned off the alarm clock as a tear ran down her cheek.
  "Thank you, Papa," she whispered.
  He had reminded her of the unconditional love that really never goes away, but is sometimes forgotten when traveling some of life's rougher terrain. It fueled her heart and soul for the journey ahead.  When she got out of bed, she took the first step toward a life that finally held the promise of happiness and hope.