Ann leaves today to go back to Kiev. Her time here was well spent, though, and I know dad really appreicated having her around. I suspect that next week will be the hardest yet, as things really do beging to "go back to normal" now. The steady stream of well-wishers and sympathy cards has reduced to a trickle, and next week dad may well begin to feel alone.

Last night dad took us to Club Diversity for a round of chocolate martinis, mom's favorite drink. It's a real testament to mom's ability to get people to grow beyond themselves that dad suggested we go to a gay bar for drinks. The chocolate martini was fabulous, and it's easy to see why mom fell in love with them.

Tonight I'll probably take dad to the local watering hole for a Guinness.