Training Log Archive: Bash

Road run tour of my childhood haunts with 'Bent.

Shortly after midnight, I said goodbye to my beloved father, friend, mentor and role model, Bill Campbell. Amongst many other things, he inspired my interest in photography, love of the outdoors and sense of humour. If you read my log, you've seen my Dad in my writing, my attitude toward life and photos of fun times we've shared. I love and miss him so, so much but it is comforting to know that he lives on in the hearts of many people.

Rest in peace, Dad. You made a difference.







Obituary and arrangements
http://www.dennistoll.ca/book-of-memories/2012445/...

On nearly every Christmas morning for the past few decades, we joined Dad at the Rotary Carol Sing at Brantford General Hospital. Accompanied by a keyboard player on a cart, about 80 of us would travel through all the floors of the hospital singing carols and wishing "Merry Christmas" to patients and staff. Santa was there with individual gifts for the kids and cheery greetings for adults, many of whom sang along. We always finished with the Twelve Days of Christmas in the hospital cafeteria, then we'd have a cookie and head out for our respective family Christmases with a feeling of extra gratitude for our good fortune.

Dad loved it. He insisted that we put on our Santa hats and go early so he could chat with friends over coffee donated by Tim Horton's for the occasion.

His depressed immune system in recent years couldn't keep him from this special celebration with friends, hospital staff and patients. He was a longtime Chair of the hospital board and a past president of Rotary so this annual event was close to his heart.

It's 9:20 on Chrstmas morning. By now, Dad would have his jacket on and he'd be pacing by the front door, waiting for us. But this is just one of many things that will feel wrong today. He is sleeping comfortably, and I don't know if he knows it's Christmas.

The hospice is amazing but on just this one day, I wish we were at the hospital so he could be on the receiving end of the Rotary Christmas visit after all these years.

Wishing you all a happy Christmas.

Dad is going to the hospice this afternoon.