Accessing the main timeline

Hello,
I have multiple instances of a movieclip (a1) within the main timeline.  These instances move around via tweening within the main timeline.  The instances also appear (are added) and disappear (are removed) while the main timeline is playing.
Within the movieclip is this actionscript:
(code)
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, ef);
function ef(evt:Event):void
     trace(MovieClip(parent).currentFrame);
(end code)
As soon as an instance disappears... I get this typeError:
TypeError: Error #1009: Cannot access a property or method of a null object reference.
at test13_fla::a1_1/ef()
The question then is - How can I access the main timeline from each instance (even when it is not currently on stage)?  Is this possible?  Any suggestions on how I can keep all of my code within the movieclip?
Thanks in advance!
-Jake

Throughout the timeline the instances are in a motiontween followed by a blank keyframe. 
To remove the event listener when it does dissappear I could do a addEventListener(Event.Removed, removeEventListenerFn);.... but I need a way to keep it.
In my real project, each instance draws itself via drawRect and then put into a sprite and added to the main timeline.  Then within the event function (where it traces the maintimelines current frame)  I need all of the sprites to be removed when the main timeline gets to a certain frame#.  I know... confusing...
I just need to find a way to access the main timeline while the instance is removed from the stage.
If, for example, I did this...
(code)
addEventListener(Event.REMOVED, ef);
var ccc:Number = 1;
function ef(evt:Event):void
     trace("First Removed: " + MovieClip(root).currentFrame);
     addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, eg);
function eg(evt:Event):void
     if(ccc < 10)
          trace("I am now removed");
     ccc++;
(end code)
... I do not get any errors and I would get this in the output window:
First Removed: 59
I am now removed
I am now removed
I am now removed
I am now removed
I am now removed
I am now removed
I am now removed
I am now removed
I am now removed

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