I'm Back

Wow. It seems like I've been gone forever but it was only 16 days. I woke up in my own bed this morning, drank my own coffee, and got to cuddle my kids/dog/wife...not neccessarily in that order.
I want to take a minute and thank all of you for you kind words these last few weeks. I know it's awkward and sometimes hard to find the right thing to say but you were spot on and your notes and comments were very comforting and welcomed. Thanks again very much.

I want to get back to the business of promoting my book and I will but I want you to read just a couple more things about my dad.

On Saturday we had a memorial/tribute thing complete with sliced meat and buns(some very nice ham, I might add!) at the MJ Shrine Club. Over 150 people showed up and it was amazing. My father lived there for nearly 55 years and he made a lot of friends. It was nice and sometimes hard hearing what a great guy people thought Lou was, but I'm glad we did it and his friends seemed glad to have had the chance to express themselves.

The last thing I want you to see is the eulogy I read at his funeral. I wasn't sure I wanted to put it in here cause it was very personal and believe me brutal to deliever, but I thought it would be a nice way to finish this part of the process. I know I'll be sad for my father for a long time, but today at least, is the beginning of the next phase.

My dad died Friday night around 8:30 in Moose Jaw. After spending all day surrounded by his sons, their wives and some grand-kids he finally passed away in the one hour when we were all out of the room. He was like that. He didn't like to be fussed over… and when he was finally alone he slipped peacefully away. He would have been 84 in December. We have been choked up off and on for the last few days but over all I think we’re relieved. He wouldn’t have wanted to go on like he was and mostly he wouldn’t have wanted any more attention! I told his sister Ruby that what really killed him, were all these people doing things for him. Lou hated being a burden. His neighbor told me that 2 weeks ago he offered to help Lou cut his huge lawn and rake up the leaves. Dad at 83 and with a hip that desperately needed replacing said, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll just go slow!” Though he always appreciated every thing anybody did for him. If ever there was a guy who was himself it was Lou…from beginning to end. He was polite to a fault, generous of spirit and very very funny. In the last week that David and Steven and I spent with him he made us laugh on several occasions. Couple of nice cute nurses in Regina…I said hey dad, these nurses here in Regina are nice. Lou replied…sure they’re nice but they’re football team still stinks. He was well liked, mainly because he was more interested in other people than telling you about himself. Lou epitomized the saying , “seek first to understand before you seek to be understood. If ever there were 3 men who are a product of their father its David, Steven and I.

We are our Fathers Sons.
Lou was intellectual, dramatic, athletic and intense. My mother Luba raised and loved us but

We are our Fathers Sons.
He loved the fact that we all golfed, But he was most proud that all of us understood that the game was a metaphor for bigger things. Etiquette, honesty and playing by the rules.

We are our Father’s sons
and the three of us are grateful to have you all here today to celebrate his life with us. The best of him is displayed in the best of us.
Years ago I used to get my allowance by learning little songs, or poems or lines from Shakespeare. I’m like 8 years old running around saying, “To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,"
One of his favorites was from Hamlet. He explained to me that
as Hamlet is dying he asks that if his friend Horatio loves him , he should pause from every day things… and that when he speaks of Hamlet he should do so with some sadness..
As a kid I never fully understood it, sure It got me 35 cents, but today, speaking on behalf of all us, it has never meant more.

I can hear my dad’s voice resonate even now.
“If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, absent thee from felicity awhile…and in this harsh world, draw thy breath in pain. to tell my story. “

We are our Lou Glassman’s Sons
and even tho today every breath is drawn in great pain, we are honored to share a little bit of our Fathers story with you.