The names contained herein have been changed
to protect identities;
I have renamed them after Explorers and Adventurers.
At the Dance Studio, I met George, a quiet gentleman from
Chile. He had graduated from McMaster
University...presently working at Stelco as a Research Chemist (specializing in
metallurgical properties). He was
learning Fox Trot and Waltz...and there I was, with Latin
American rhythms and dance step routines.
We developed a friendly relationship and met many times over a 2-year
span. I believed at that time, (although
I wasn’t “infatuated” with him, nor was I “madly in love with him”), that
proven friendship was the stepping stone to a solid relationship and successful
marriage. Within 2 years, we married and
had two children. Over the years our
compatibility waned and after 16 years, we amicably separated...and later
divorced. What is Love? Why did I not experience long-lasting Joy
of Marriage? The answers are a Mystery!
After a 5-year lay-off to be home
with my children until both were in school, returning to an income now became a necessity. Soon I met Ferdinand, who was
legally separated from his wife. We were
“therapists” for each other. He became
the excitement in my life...whether lunch or dinner or the game of tennis.
His attention and ardour impressed me.
We enjoyed a few mini-vacations in the Caribbean. This was wonderful while it lasted...until I
discovered that he was living with a woman in Mississauga. I was devastated! He left me, realizing I knew about his
“double life”...or was it a triple?
When my son was 12, Shirley, a
long-time-friend, and I drove to Gray Rocks in the Laurentians, north of
Montreal...ski weeks for the three of us.
In my class was Simon (of Lebonese descent), a mechanical
engineer from Pennsylvania. He noticed
that I fell several times on that first day and was quite concerned. I explained that due to the frigid
temperatures, my goggles were
continually fogging, which affected my visibility. He invited me to join him at the apres-ski
bar for a glass of beer...how refreshing that was...when you have leisure time
to unwind, relax and listen to a local
band. Next morning he met me at the ski
shop, and to my amazement, offered me a pair of new ski goggles! I was so grateful and impressed and asked him,
“Why?” His response, “So that every time
you wear them, you'll think of me!” How
Romantic! What a Dear Man! We shared our 2-sessions daily with the
Instructor...then free-skied, following
which we enjoyed the apres-ski lounge.
On Friday, our class was taken to Mont Tremblant for a fabulous ski
day. What an experience schussing down
these magnificent mountain slopes! A few of us made plans to return to
Tremblant over the long Easter weekend.
My Life once again, became Alive!
Simon telephoned once or twice a
week. He invited me to join him for a
ski-week at Heavenly in California near Lake Tahoe. Sadly, I declined...I had two children “to
family” who needed a parent at home.
When summer arrived, I spent two wonderful weekends with him in the
Poconos. This was “the man of my
dreams”...who adored me, cared for me and whom I respected in the highest
degree! For the first time, I felt that
I was truly in love. Discussing
my teenage son and younger daughter, we realized our life together would be
complicated. I could not take them out
of Canada away from their father. To me
it was significant they continue to spend time together as they mature to
adulthood.
Decision Time...to release myself
from Simon and he from me was most difficult. Without him, I was weak,
remorseful, unhappy, in tears! How could
I move forward without him? He assured
me, “You have greater strength than you realize!” It was a sad day when we parted ...never to
see each other again. Flying home, I
asked, “Why was I given this opportunity to meet such a wonderful man...to whom
I gave my heart and soul...then to see it crumble away? As I flew into Toronto, the sun was setting beyond the
horizon ~ I convinced myself that I must move
on...the Sun will Rise Another Day!
Several years later, one of my inquiring Real Estate clients was Thor, continually seeking information
about this property, that property...would view a few with me...nothing seemed
to satisfy him. Finally he stated that he had no intention of
buying soon...just waiting for some “fantastic deal”. He enjoyed life since retirement from his
business ventures. He frequented the
gym, he travelled to Palm Springs in California, to New
Mexico for an annual Pow-Wows and wherever his fancy
took him. One Sunday afternoon, he rode
his Harley Davidson motorcycle to my home.
My family was amazed! Jimmy, my
nephew, visiting us from Chile
was impressed with this “bike” since he
rode a smaller one at home for his transportation to and from work. Everyone
was thrilled to have a ride on Thor’s bike!
He was a “fun person”! After
spending a few years working and raising my children, he with his 1380 cc
bike gave me a “new lease on life” with
a new-found sense of freedom. We spent
many road-days together. Romantically, I
had no interest in him...his company was enjoyable. There is a unique “lure of motorcycling”
...the air, the roar of the engine, the acknowledgement of other bikers on the
road ...the dress of leather jackets, boots, helmet and chaps. One such
excursion was to locate a private island with a turn-of-the-century castle in
the St. Lawrence River. Persistence paid off in contacting the Florida
owners. For a couple years I had a “private
listing” on Jorstadt Castle…resulting
in several showings and a couple offers on it! (Today it is known as “Singer
Castle” and can be seen on Internet.) My
friendship with Thor ended when I became aware he had other women in his life…for
various reasons.
Today, as I sit at my computer ~
when the bright sunlight streams through my window, to keep the rays from
blinding my eyes, I wear a royal blue
trimmed pink peaked cap…Harley Honey…embroidered
script written and showing four butterflies each side of the title. There’s symbolic message here!
One Sunday evening, attending a
dance in Milton with Jill, I met Leif…a
wonderful dancer. Together we enjoyed dinners, the Big Bands who often
performed at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto…the enormous dance floors, the
dress-up occasions for gowns and tuxedos.
He was insistent upon more than mere interest. He adored me and wanted to live with me,
marry me…however I had no emotional attachment to him. He was difficult to rid from my life…almost
to the point of stalking…even (as a locksmith) changing the locks on my doors
to provide himself with a key.
Friendship Ended…Forever!
One of my friends introduced me
to Vasco, a local businessman
who was semi-retired. We met and dined together a few times at local
restaurants. I learned very quickly that
this man, although he wanted a lady in his life, was still devoted 95% to his
business, operated by his son. He
had nothing better to do with his time! He proved to be unreliable, had no hobby or
interests except for his daily bottle of red wine. To me…this was a dead issue…and Bye, Bye!
* *
* * * *
In mid 2006, I retired from
business because of chronic degenerative osteo-arthritis and moved to a
one-bedroom apartment…the next phase of my life! I had abandoned sports due to
lack of physical ability. My life now needed adjustments.. I had a small design
company…Mardadi Designs…creating
accessory fashions for women, children and men.
I’ve enjoyed movies, staged theatrical productions, more extensive
reading, lunching with friends, often playing duplicate bridge weekly at local
clubs.
My son has for many years been
working as an EDI Engineer/Consultant hired by Agencies for contract work in a
few American cities…although at this writing, he’s currently in Calgary,
Alberta. In 2008, he was working in Connecticut. He drove home every Friday evening (8 ½ hours
one way) to be home with his family, returning each Sunday evening).
Frequently, I’ve visited him in these various locations. In May he invited me to spend a week with him
in this New England state. Two later
times (August and December) I again returned. The Director of the ACBL club
there arranged partners for the Monday
and Friday games. In December when the
pre- arranged partner was unable to attend, he brought me Samuel…a wonderful gentleman, an avid bridge player and a WWII Veteran***
who was at Omaha Beach on D-day! With him on these two days, I experienced an
unusual connection (and unknown to me, it was mutual). His birthday had been on Thursday…so
following the Friday game, we shook hands…I kissed him on his cheek with double
wishes for his “Happy Birthday Yesterday
and our Happy Bridge Today!” He was
amazed! The next week he contacted me with our game
results and an invitation to return again.
Through e-mails we kept contact.
He requested that my son install Bridge Base Online (BBO) whereby we
could together play bridge. This was a
new venture…about which I knew nothing about it! With my son’s expertise and Samuel’s
telephone directions on how to “navigate this system”, gradually I became adept
and after much endeavour began to “play like a pro”! He and I have exchanged Bridge conventions
which have enhanced our game. Our “online opponents” can be from
anywhere…China, Germany, Iceland, Chile, etc.
BBO has the ability for us to create “Friends” around the world. When seen “online”, we chat briefly…may
even play Bridge as partners…e.g. Poland, Oregon, England, Ohio, France. I have
a few with whom I regularly play…yet my best and most knowledgeable Partner is
Samuel… playing 3 or 4 times weekly.
*** His blog site…Oldest Military Blogger…key in to access his wartime experiences.
A few times yearly we visit
together and play at local Bridge Clubs. We inspire each other…shared much
conversation…met his family and friends...travelled to Tennessee…he’s
returned to my home turf that he calls “Canada” and absolutely loves our
“Escarpment Country”. In my life, he has been a beacon…as I have been his.
Perhaps the Universe had destined us to meet.
My son calls our unique meeting, Divine
Intervention (or Providence). We
both feel younger as if we, together, had visited the:
Fountain
of Youth in St. Augustine,
Florida.
I read that Ponce de Leon landed
there in 1513. Today the Fountain of
Youth is a National Park…the natural spring still bubbles away. It is
legendary, that it restores the youth of anyone who drinks of these waters.
May our attitude be ever youthful.
May our attitude be ever youthful.
May we eternally drink from these waters.
Can you match the
foregoing names with the
following Explorer surnames?
Erikson...Vancouver...Magellan…Fraser
...Heyerdahl...da Gama...de Champlain
Four other Men in my Life are
significant: Andrew,** my Son who has long time been My
Trusted Friend, two grandsons and Jimmie (nephew) who lives in California. Jimmie and
his wife, Marcela, moved to US from Chile a few
years ago. By e-mail, Jimmie and I regularly communicate. While my son was
working in Silicon Valley, opportunity knocked. The four of us met…spending
Labour Day weekend together…touring Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe and
Squaw Valley, the wine valleys of Napa and Sonoma…truly unforgettable experiences!
**Birth of the Blog
In 2011, while working in
Calgary, Andrew chatted with me about “this
blog” he, (along with a couple personal friends), was urging me to create...as
sort of a biography of a few articles and prose I had often written…very applicable
to people’s daily lives. The
conversation went something like this:
“Are you ready yet?” he asked.
“No,” I hesitatingly replied.
“Do you have a name or title for your writings?” “Yes, I believe I’ll call it…Kaleidoscope of
Life.”
“Let’s do it now…I have the time.
What’s your Introduction?” “I haven’t solidified my ideas, yet.”
“Just write a description of your blog’s intent…you can alter it
later.”
Then, with our installed Team Viewer program, he directed me to
select a background scene and then
proceeded to establish…Merle’s
Kaleidoscope of Life. Observed onscreen, I exclaimed, “WOW…it looks
beautiful!” A few nights later, he showed me how to amend my Introduction. Then from my Document File (thanks to Pary for assisting me to create
this), I selected one of my written articles…it may have been “Tapestry of
Life.” He patiently walked me through
the process to “post it” on my blog (step by step, by step, by step)...
noting chronologically on paper as my
guide for the next “posting.”
To Andrew, I am eternally
grateful! Without his assistance, this
probably would not have transpired.
Today…my blog is Alive! Since the
initial conversation to begin this journey, I’ve published over 300.
Words of Wisdom
Leave the beaten track behind occasionally and dive into the woods.
Every time you do, you will be certain to find something
you’ve never seen or experienced before.
(Alexander Graham Bell)
Merle Baird-Kerr…originally written December 4, 2010
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