The past three weeks have been tough, as we worried about Dad, cared for Dad, and ultimately buried Dad.

One tremendous blessing was that he was able to come home from the hospital, instead of going to a short-term rehab facility. Covid would have added tremendously to our pain if we hadn’t had minute-by-minute access to our dear father.

Sitting in what used to be Mom and Dad’s library (now Dad’s bedroom) and holding his hand, I glanced up and saw a book.

It was Don Quixote.

After Mom’s passing, Dad decided to ship his collection of gorgeous Folio Society books – plus three beautiful bookcases – nearly a thousand miles away. Gary and I accepted the 500 volumes gratefully.

But I had to ask, “Dad, are there any of the Folio books you’d like back? If so, just say the word. We’ll bring them on our next trip out to see you.” (This was just before Covid changed everyone’s lives.)

“Actually, yes …” was his response. “I’d love to read Don Quixote.” I don’t remember exactly, but he may have ended that sentence with “again.” Let’s hope so.

And so, the afternoon of April 12, as Dad’s breathing slowed – often with great pauses in between – I pulled the chair closer to his bedside and started to read.

Increasingly, I felt an anxious need to fill the room with others who would understand the love of books, the joy of reading out loud, and the torture of losing a parent.

From around the world they came – nearly 300 strong. All book lovers.

Despite what the Facebook naysayers may claim, there are some private Groups that are filled with good people of common interest. Courteous, intelligent, eager to share. And such is the Fans of the Folio Society Group.

Here’s what, through tears, I posted on the Folio group’s page:

Throughout the afternoon and into the nighttime hours, I read aloud to Dad, my Gary, and my brothers the kind messages posted by other book lovers.

Here is a sampling:

From Donna M., Great Britain: A beautiful collection, you are so lucky to share such a wonderful pastime and such treasured memories with your father. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time x

Kasia M., who studied at the University of Saskatchewan: My thoughts are with you, Paula. We lost my gran at the end of last month. This is such a difficult time for bereavement. If I can offer a sliver of consolation it’s that when your dad arrives in the hereafter he will never go hungry again – my gran makes the most incredible Polish comfort food in the most gargantuan portions. I’ll read a bit of FS The Princess Bride in his honour today. It just arrived today and I’d love to share my excitement with your dad in my thoughts – one FS collector to another.

Dan R. in the United Kingdom: So sorry to read this Paula. I will gladly turn a page in his honour tonight. Love to you and all your family. X

From England, Jack P.: One of my favourite books of all time. Your dad has fantastic taste! Paula, my thoughts and prayers are with you both. He knows he has his daughter by his side. Man, it sounds like you share so much together

Suzanne T. from Alabama: I’ll read a bit of Bradbury for your dad today.

Kate Lilly B.: Sending you and your family lots of love. Thinking of you all. I’ll read some of The Iliad, my newest Folio xxx

Adele B. of the UK: I read to my Mum all the time at the end and now have all her Folios. Reading tonight in your Dad’s honour.

Chelsea R. from Ontario: I’ll be holding you and your family in the light, Paula. I’ve been reading some of Christina Rossetti’s poetry from my Goblin Market and Selected Poems in your father’s honour and I’d like to share this one, as I hope it brings you some comfort in this difficult time.

“Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann’d:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.”

Andrea Y., Chicago: To live more than 90 years surrounded by love and learning passed down to new generations is a beautiful legacy. Beethoven and Brideshead Revisited for your dad tonight.

From England, Pam A.: I have that book…. I will read it next in honour of your father.

Maria Cristina S., Romania: We’ve just finished reading, with my 4 years old, The Selfish Giant. Our thoughts are with you.

Michelle W., Australia: Eugene Onegin by both Pushkin and Tchaikovsky for your father tonight. My thoughts will be with you and your family.

Lisa S., Texas: I will read the final page of A Tale of Two Cities in honor of you and your father tonight. My favorite book—and appropriate when the loss of a loved one is near, I think. 

Brian S., Australia: Paula, I have just reread Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant in honour of your father. The allegorical nature of this beautiful story is obvious, but it can be enjoyed as a fairy tale as well. It could also be seen as a comfort to those whose loved ones are about to cross over, and the loved ones themselves. I lost my father at 91 and, just last year, my mother at 92, so I can empathise with your sadness. Trusting that in time the bitter tears will be replaced by the happiness that comes with sweet memories. All the best from down under.

Edd D. England: I am painting a small bust of Don Quixote and will think of your post as I do it.

Chris H., England: Very happy to oblige with Kipling’s The Man Who Would Be King. Go well, Hal. An inherited library is very special with such real, lasting and tremendous beauty. So all the best to you, Paula, in the days ahead – it won’t be easy but who wants easy? Take care, love to all. X

Javier H.: Dear Paula! I am very sorry! When the day comes to me, I would like to be surrounded by the books, the music and the people I love, like your Old Man. In homage to Harold, I have read the full prologue of what I presume to be his favourite book, but in the old and noble language of Castille. I raise a prayer for him and for you, too, and I’ll lit a candle for him the next time I go to Mass. God bless you both.

Emma M., Australia: I found anew something old….and a sentence in the introduction reminded me of my own father’s life which was cut short some years ago. All these moments and memories are precious. “this…..poet, whose thought and feeling bring back those days, unique to all who flew, in words that touch us, like a singing glass ringing to bygone memories that haunt the heart.” 

Eugenia S., studied at the University of Macedonia: To honor your father I read a passage from “The old capital” by Yasunari Kawabata. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Thank you to all who came together to honor Dad, his life, and his love of reading. Good books will forever bind us together.

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