January 2, 2019. Playa Royale, Mexico. Rosa and Nico.

The story can be repeated many times. Italian immigrants move to Canada to start a new life. They work hard and save their money and they get rich. Then they spend their winter months in Mexico. End of story. Except the story is complicated. Rosa's father and two older brothers moved to Toronto in 1953. The three saved their money and bought a house. In 1955 Rosa, who was 14, moved to Canada with her Mother and older sister. The girls went to school, speaking no English. They soon learned and thrived. Nico, Rosas husband was born in 1936 and had emigrated to Canada in 1955 too. He went to work in construction. Rosa and Nico married in 1960 and proceeded to have 5 children. Their pattern never changed. They lived a frugal life and saved their money. When they had enough money, they bought a piece of land, always on the outskirts o0f town and well beyond the major population. The first piece of land Nico bought was the first house he built on his own. They family lived in it from then on. The next land he bought he built two houses and sold them, always buying more land beyond the major population. His pattern never changed. Fortunately for them, the population moved north so they prospered. Now they are rich. Their five children have done well as does the 14 grandchildren., It is a wonderful immigrant story of hard work and thrift. But that is only part of the story. Today Rosa told me that 20 years ago Nico bought himself a house just down the street. Rosa said there was some lady problems so she insisted he move out. They are still married. They still eat dinner together every night, of course cooked by Rosa. They live in the same condo in our complex in separate bedrooms. When you see them together there are no signs of estrangement. Rosa told me that they attend functions together and never tell people they live in separate homes. "That is none of their business<" she said. I was amazed. I have known them for 15 years or more. And today I hear the rest of the story. People are fascinating.