A man, a memorial, a lesson in life

A few days late, but a worthwhile story to share.

This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend a life-affirming event -- an event that reminded me of the importance of passion; the fortitude of confidence; and the power of love.

It was a memorial.

At first glance, the memorial was to a man that had spent his entire life defending and supporting Canadian arts. This, in itself, deserves accolades. Canada is not often considered a passionate, drum-beating nation. We rarely cheer on our talent and seldom support our creative forces. Yet, despite this collective apathy a few champions do emerge -- Sid Adilman was definitely one of these champions. Even as the hippie-sixties were raging, Sid was busy pounding away the prose on Canadian artistic endeavours. As an entertainment reporter and columnist for numerous publications (but particularly the Toronto Star) he had the opportunity and the foresight to search out our Great White Northern identity in all artistic ventures. As such, he helped launch and define Canadian comedy, dance, music and broadcast. A feat that did not, and could not, go unnoticed.

But, despite the public acknowledgement of Sid's passion and persistence, another aspect of this quirky, delightful man emerged.

Sid was a romantic. Not just in love -- although a cross-cultural, transborder love affair with a Japanese woman he proposed to only a week after meeting, certainly proves his charm -- but also in life. He experienced joy and delight in the events and areas most Canadians take for granted. He delighted in food, in Canadian east-coast hospitality and never lost his way as a devoted, loving and supportive husband and father. This was the man we came to know during the two-hour memorial. This was the man sons Mio and Nobu had lost and wife Toshiko would mourn. This is the man whose life was dedicated to art, culture and the nurture of the creative.

Toskiko, Nobu, Mio -- my heart goes out to you for your loss. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us. While we knew him as a prolific writer and the great defender of Canadian culture, you knew him as the man who loved to live. For this, alone, the man is worth remembering.

For more information please see:
http://www.nobu.ca/
http://thestar.blogs.com/azerb/2006/10/sid_adilman.html
http://blog.canadianjournalist.ca/blog/_archives/2006/10/15/2418635.html
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/story.html?id=a7051994-b01f-43f1-b69f-df47c421c77c&k=36558
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117952017.html?categoryid=25&cs=1