If I was to make the last four years of my father's life into a movie, it would be called, "The Long Goodbye". Dad LIVED with cancer. He didn't complain and it did not stop him from enjoying the simple pleasures; Tims coffee with Norman, a philosophical discussion with Caleb at Christmas time, watching my Mother putter in the kitchen, emails to friends, snacks & recess at Stephen's, chocolate milk, the food network, and many meals around the dining room table with my husband and children....to name a few. It also gave Dad and I an opportunity to say what we needed to say. And it gave me a chance to reflect. Thanks Dad. Here are some of my reflections and things that Dad taught me: This IS a wonderful life. We love and we have the opportunity to be loved. People are woven not only into our past, but because they touch our lives, they are woven into whom we choose to be each day. We will carry them forward with us as our lives continue; together or separately. Take time out - A nap will do; anywhere, anytime! For Dad this was often in front of the television, watching BNN or CBC. What I couldn't understand is how he could sleep through an entire newscast or program and still wake up and tell me now I should be investing my money or how he saw the world. However before he retired, he did not limit his naps to home. I can still recall annual Sunday school picnics with Dad passed out on a lawn chair after one of Mom's scrumptious picnic lunches. I didn't realize it the, but those picnics offered Dad a rare opportunity to relax after being on the road for work without feeling the need to do something around the house..or build something! A book shelf, a table and benches, tv stand, garden shed, even an addition to the house! Dad was also resourceful when life didn't easily present nap times....Talking with Dougie, whomhe worked with at CBC, I recently found out that Dad would sometimes incorporate nap times into the work day....leaving early for client calls, but taking a quick nap in the car beforehand. Yet despite his infinity for life recesses, or perhaps because of them, Dad was the top sale man in national sales at CBC for many years. Keep moving...unless you're napping. Actually this advice started with Dad's father, who use to wisely advise us how important it was to keep moving and fit all our lives. Dad didn't just pass this advice on, he lived it! Skilling was big part of Dad's life and he shared his passion with many people: My brother for one. My cousin Brad, who fondly recollects skiing like "mad men" with my Dad on Grouse Mountain. And one of my favourite childhood memories was skiing with my parents and their friends Marc and Vreni at Mount Tremblant. Dad was remarkable during that trip not only on the slopes, but off the slopes as well.....handling with patience and sometimes a blind eye the pares ski antics of his teenage daughter! Then there was swimming at the community centre, cycling, lifting weights, and walking the rail trails and skating with his grandchildren....Dad lived a life of motion. Friends are life's best souvenirs. I cannot believe how many wonderful people I have spoken to or emailed during the last couple of days to inform everyone about Dad's passing. Mom and Dad have a wonderful community of friends from all aspects of their lives and from across the country. It seemed that wherever they went, they made friends....Good friends who then became part of Mom's extensive annual Christmas card distribution. There are the most extraordinary people amongst us, if we stop to take the time to notice them. This follows with.... Your life is rich not by how much you own, but the number of stories you have to tell. As my cousin Ann remarked, "Dad could work a room like a politician". Meeting people and telling stories was one of Dad's fortes. Ann still remembers the one about Dad and "Toots'" first winter in Manitoba. Dad told Ann that the chickens wore overcoats and the cows built their own igloos because the winters are so cold! Stories also included family history. Did you know that Dad is a descendent of Cougar Annie? And i believe she still holds the record for the number of cougars that she shot on Vancouver Island. Well Dad, we will do our best to carry on your legacy...and now everyone has been forewarned! Measure twice, cut once. Peter, Larry, Dougie....how many times have we heard this one from Dad? If in doubt, order breakfast anytime of the day. From Dad's many years on the road travelling across the prairies for work, he learned that ordering bacon and eggs was always a safe bet. Buy quality but never pay retail! And then take good care of it. Whether it was Florsheim shoes, suits, shirts, or skis, Dad loved to get the best...but at a bargain. Of course he took top-notch care of everything, and expected us to do the same. Peter, remember how we had to polish our new shoes twice before we were allowed to wear them? Enjoy good food and friends, preferably together! Need I say more? And we will raise a glass again with Dad in our hearts at Stephen's house after the internment. Thanks Dad and Stephen for pre-planning this! And finally.... Tell a joke. Ok, I have been saving this one. There's an old gentleman who passes away. He gets to the pearly gates and is met by three of his friends who have been waiting for him. One of his friends tells him that the food and wine in heaven is the very best, in fact, exquisite. So they go for a bite to eat. However the gentlemen notices that his friends are eating an extraordinary amount of food. The gentleman turns to his friends and asks them if they are not concerned about how much they are eating. His friend tells him that one of the best things about heaven is that you can eat all you want and never gain weight or get sick...to which the gentleman replies, "Well, if I had known that I wouldn't have taken so long to get here!" Well Dad, perhaps I should have told you this joke sooner....Bon Appetit!