Dance Me to the End of Love

Jo and Chuck on their wedding day.

I found this book, Dance Me to the End of Love, with words by Leonard Cohen and pictures by Henri Matisse, in my parents collection of art books in my father’s bedroom.  Caregivers had told us that hearing is the last to go and that we should talk to my father.  I decided that reading this book might sooth him, bring back memories and ease his transition because it perfectly describes the lifelong love and passion my parents had for each other.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get through reading it without crying and both the caregiver and I dissolved in tears.

Married for 62 years, they faced life’s challenges hand-in-hand and were each other’s best friend.  The love they had for each other was a powerful thing to watch.  We, their children and grandchildren, were witness to it multiple times over these last few years during the many health challenges of each of them.  Each time, the great love they had for each other was the catalyst for their recovery.  They simply did not want one of them to go before the other.

I dedicate this post and my earlier post, High Flight, to both of my parents and the unending love they had for each other.  My father’s passing on Saturday starts the next chapter of their love story.

Dance Me to the End of Love

by Leonard Cohen

Dance me to your beauty

with a burning violin

Dance me through the panic

til I’m gathered safely in

Lift me like an olive branch

and be my homeward dove

Dance me to the end of love

Let me see your beauty

when the witnesses are gone

Let me feel you moving

like they don in Babylon

Show me slowly what I only

know the limits of

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now

dance me on and on

Dance me very tenderly and

dance me very long

We’re both of us beneath our love

we’re both of us above

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the children

who are asking to be born

Dance me through the curtains

that our kisses have outworn

Raise a tent of shelter now

though every thread is torn

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to your beauty

with a burning violin

Dance me through the panic

till I’m gathered safely in

Touch me with your naked hand

touch me with your glove

Dance me to the end of love

Pictures of a Love Story

Mom and Dad – The Courtship Years

Mom and Dad – The Early Years

Mom and Dad – Through the Years

Mom and Dad – More Through the Years