REMEMBERING MY AWESOME COUSIN DONALD
When I was growing up, I always remembered Don helped me prepare in grade four for a speech about volcanos and the dangers of lava erupting. At that time, he was travelling in Europe and preparing to continue his education. He would send me postcards from various cities he had visited.
With warm memories….
Many years later after returning to Canada, Don and his brother Alan were ushers at our wedding in Montreal in 1963. They were also ring bearers and held my mother’s wedding train when she was married in 1930.
With educational presents….
Don and his wife Genevieve loved to give our family picturesque and educational books at Christmas. They make a beautiful display on the coffee table. Don used to also send me a monthly John Hopkins Medical letter –Health After 50 with interesting information.
For challenging times….
Donald managed his schedule to arrange daily exercises to help his daughter Beatrice overcome her disabilities.
And his health….
Don suffered a massive heart attack in 1980 and his condition worsened four years later as plaque built up in his arteries virtually blocking them. He attended a well-known cardiac facility in Alabama for an assessment and instead of quadruple bypass surgery was told to change his lifestyle through diet and exercise. Don became a vegetarian and a regular exerciser. He would jog on the indoor track, use the rowing machine, lift weights and run in a Spring marathon. On a weekend visit to our Toronto house, our cat found Don’s suitcase and pulled out some fish pills (part of his diet). I thought they may have been heart medication pills and would kill my cat.
With joy……..
Along with his exercising, Don loved his bike. He would always ride along Sherbrooke Street going home from the McGill chemistry lab.
For his thankfulness to my parents……
Don and his brother Alan were so helpful to me when my parents became ill in the late 80’s and 90’s. As my family and I lived in Toronto, “the boys “would always suggest medical help and nurses for my parents. My Mom was their Aunt.
Don’s New Home…..
During the last year, it was necessary to move Donald to a Senior’s Residence near his home for safety reasons. He always smiles when we visit and is well looked after as Genevieve and his daughters and their families visit him daily.
KEEP ON SMILING DON