1. clinging
She was clinging to her father.
We are still clinging to the dreams of our youth.
She was still clinging to the hope that her dog would be found alive.
Or perhaps she was clinging for her life.
His clinging wife was always afraid that he would find another woman.
Fungi married algae... clinging to rock, and eating...
Stop clinging to your glory days, or you'll be left behind.