We said goodbye

We said goodbye to Burt on Monday, December 13th. Over 260 family and friends were there to pay their respects and to see him for one last time. I could not believe the number of people who knew him and loved him, that had something to say about how he lived his life, about how he touched their lives. Of course, I knew that my husband was a good man, but to see it confirmed in the eyes and the words of others was comforting. For that I am grateful.

His friend Don joked about how they could watch a hockey game with their eyes closed. I can’t remember how many times I would go downstairs and find them both asleep while the game went on. They always insisted they were not sleeping.

His friend John told us of being with Burt the day he found out the cancer was back, how angry and upset he was, until Dani came home and he changed back into “Daddy”, not letting her see his pain. His family always came first.

Dani talked about the family rule Burt set, that the first time you come to our house you are a guest. The second time you are family. She said by looking around the crowded room you should know that he considered most of the people there to be family.

Robert said it was hard to say goodbye to his Dad because he was also his best friend. He spoke of how hard it was to work with him sometimes, but only because his Dad set the bar so high.

I find it hard to believe he's gone. We will meet again someday. Until then, I will miss him every day and every hour.

Je t'aime, mon ami. Reposer en paix.