The surgery and recovery for both of us was traumatic. But three things were of benefit. The first good thing that happened was the kindnesses of our landlords. We had just moved into the second floor of a home in North Toronto, owned by the older folks living on the first floor. They were kindness personified. She made nourishing soups for Ken and encouraged him to sit in the sun in the garden. She would often leave dinner for us on the stairs. They were from Hungary and were Jewish and she took over Ken's care. To this day, I remember their kindnesses and smile.
Our friend Dave S. was a travel agent. I have no idea whose idea it was, but to assist Ken's recovery, Dave booked us on a freighter cruise from Montreal, stopping in Bermuda and at least a dozen Caribbean Islands. The trip was wonderful. Ken even enjoyed swimming in the beautiful warm water. After I had completed my teaching job for the summer, we took the train to Montreal to board our ship. We have yet to take another freighter cruise but at the time it was perfect. The good food and sea air helped Ken to gain weight. And we loved the islands.
The third benefit of Ken's surgery was the decision to take his residency in Texas. The Internist recommend to Ken to move someplace warm. "Your health will be better in warm air", said he, so we decided to move to Galveston, where we lived for 6 years and loved. Today at lunch, Ken and I discussed where we might have gone for his residency, had Ken not had the surgery. No telling of course, but certainly Texas got into our blood.
Trials come to everyone but gold can always be found if you look carefully. And we did.
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