Stories: Who We Have Lost

To infinity and beyond

Story aboutMike Mantell

Watching the Disney show Buzz Light Year with my grandchildren, I was reminded of that one Christmas that Mike bought all his daughters a Buzz Light Year stuffed toy. We all looked at each other that morning, thinking ‘what are you crazy?’ They were teenagers at the time. But Buzz’s famous line in the movie was “to infinity and beyond” — which to Mike meant “reach for the stars.” You can do and achieve anything in this world. As a father of five daughters, he wanted to instill in them that any woman can do what a man can do. As he would say, “break the glass ceiling.”

Hustle and Bustle

Story aboutTom Darnall

In the hustle and bustle of the airport, noise all around me, with voices talking all together in excitement or just business, I sat there in silence thinking about my love, my Tom. I remember when I would get a call as I was waiting for my plane to talk about random things and just be excited to be with each other again soon. I usually found something funny as I sat there and would share my thoughts. This time, I kept my thoughts to myself as I sat alone. Sigh … tears started welling up as I struggled not to cry while waiting on the plane, and hearing the song “The Sound of Silence.”

The lonely woman on the beach

Story aboutMike & Mary Rivera

Who is that woman sitting alone on the beach?
She looks so sad and distant and even out of reach.
Why is she sitting there all alone?
She won’t look up, she just keeps looking at her phone.
The waves are crashing methodically in the background,
Yet she doesn’t move or make a sound.
Is she okay?
It’s a beautiful day.
Do I approach her? She looks so sad.
What could have happened that was so bad?
I am that woman sitting alone on the beach.
I am in such despair and, yes, even out of reach.
My heart is shattered.
My mind is scattered.
I am filled with sadness and grief.
I lost both parents to Covid and I’m still in disbelief.
I’m looking at their pictures on my phone,
Talking to them, wishing I wasn’t alone,
Telling them I miss them every second of every day,
And asking if I’ll ever be okay.

by Belinda Trevino, in memory of her wonderful parents:
Mike Rivera
8/30/41 – 1/7/21
Mary Rivera
12/24/41 – 12/12/20

My half, Your half

Story aboutTom Darnall

I just realized that when I do laundry, I still use my side for the hanging clothes and use my half of the baskets. I still sleep on my side of the bed. I miss the other half of me, my love. It’s been 9 months now …

How We Met

Story aboutRuss McKinney

I never went to a bar alone until that night in July. Dave Posmontier
was playing piano at the tiny wine bar on the other side of town. I decided to wear my white dress and pulled my long hair back with clips. Called my friend to tell her that I was trying to be brave, that I wanted to hear this jazz artist. Called the bar and talked to a reassuring bartender. He said, “This isn’t a meat market. I will be here if you need me.” I wish I remembered his name. Russ was standing at the end of the bar, his fingers moving non-stop in that fidgety rhythm I would come to know. He could not be still. Another woman sat beside me. The only two women at the bar. When I finally decided to move closer to watch Posmontier play, she said she would save my seat. I swear I was not sure if it was the piano, or Russ I wanted to move toward. After 34 years together, I figured it out.

Share Your Story