One year, one day ago.

Some of you know my Dad, Lou Glassman, died last year. October 27, 2006 to be exact.
I wanted to look back at some of the stuff I wrote around that time and I thought you might like to peruse it again as well.
I miss my Father very much and last night I raised a glass to him with a Martini, one of his favorite drinks.
When I read some of the entries it brought me back to that painful time and in way helped remind me of what I lost and how time is starting to make it hurt less.

I was blogging from this nice cafe on Main street and I was trying to keep things going.

I'm in Moose Jaw. Some of you may know that this is where I'm from. Some of you may already have guessed that I'm here on less than happy circumstances. My father, Lou has a serious health issue, and my brothers and I are here to give him some comfort. It hasn't been an easy time for my family. It's pretty sad and scary and weird. But mostly it's sad.
I haven't spent much time here over the years so it's kind of strange getting around town and living at the house I was born in. I don't have much time to blog as I spend most of the day at the hospital. My dad has moments of lucidity and he has a wicked good sense of humour.
The other day we were in Regina to see a specialist and we were being attended to by a couple of cute, very sweet nurses.
I said to him, "These nurses here in Regina are really cute!"
He comes back with, "Yeah the nurses are nice, but their football team still sucks!"
Funny that the patient is the one who seems to be breaking the tension.

I wrote this a couple of days before he died and the last day he was awake before he became comatose.

Many of you know I'm in Moose Jaw visiting my dad. He had a great day yesterday, I got him out of his bed and outside in the sun. Amazing that as sick as he is, all he really wants to do is smoke! Anyway, thanks to everybody who has left such nice comments. We all know that we're going to have to go through this...many of you already have, and now it's my turn.
We're not sure what's going on in terms of his prognosis, but it's not good and it's day to day.
So that's all I know.

I was supposed to go back to Toronto for a couple of appearances and I stopped by the hospital on the way to the airport with my Brothers and the nurses to me it looked very bad. They said if I was leaving I'd best say my goodbyes. I wasn't ready to do that so I canceled my trip back East.

My dad isn't doing too well so I decided to stay with him in Moose Jaw. I won't be at the Womens show tonight, but my book will be. My publishing partner Jason will have 100 books to give away at the main stage at 5:30. After those are gone he'll be taking orders.
I'm sorry I can't be there but If some of you were making plans because of me, I'd like to offer you a free book instead. Believe me it's less annoying and funnier! I don't know when I'm coming back to Toronto but I'll try and update you on things here in the Jaw when I can.
Oh yeah I won't be on the CH TV thing tonight either. Take care and I'll check back with you all soon.

Finally, Friday October 27. Randee came to Moose Jaw and she and I sat with Lou for a bit before all of us went out for dinner. He died while we were away cause that's the type of man he was.
I wrote this the next day.

I'll make this brief because it hurts too much to type.
My dad died last night around 8:30 pm Moose Jaw time.
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.
I have been choked up gusting to in-tears off and on for the last few days but over all I'm relieved.
I got to spend a few great days with him and my brothers, and now I'm doing what all sons and daughters do, I'm grieving and taking care of his business.
Thanks for your thougths and comments.
I'm not coming back to Toronto for another week but I'll be in touch here whenever I can.

This last piece was from my Dad's birthday, December 5.
I wrote:

My Dad died 39 days ago. October 27th. 5 weeks, 4 days shy of his 84th birthday.
I thought of this last night during my normal 2 hour toss and turn session between 3-5am. You know, it's not bad when you think of it in the abstract. I mean nearly 84 fairly healthy years and then a quick passing is pretty good when you think of it applied to someone else, someone you don't know, someone who's not your father.
It would have been Lou's 84th birthday today and I thought for the first time since this all began I'd show you a picture of him.
Nearly 84 years is pretty good when you think of it, except when it comes to someone who was your Dad, someone you miss very badly every day.
Happy Birthday Lou!