"Why did the lawyer's wife send me 18 pink roses?"

For a moment I didn’t know who would want to send me 18 long stemmed pink roses.

And then I remembered the phone call.

That was in the days when I had my column in the Report on Business of the Globe and Mail

"I have a story that you might find of interest for your column.

My husband is going blind. He can no longer see other than an indistinctive blur.

That put an end to his successful practice as a lawyer.

An end to a productive life he lived in the past.

But he’s a fighter. And so am I .

We spent nights discussing every possibility within a very limited frame.

What could he do that was useful to others within this great restriction.

And then we hit upon it.

He could act like a corporate lawyer to individuals who had their own lawyer.

A consultant who had the expertise to study the case and identify whether every possible solution

had been identified.

I would be his eyes. I would read all the documents. And I would record my reading .

And he would study the recording. And give his opinion.

An outsider’s opinion that was very valuable.

I was entranced by the story.

And I wrote about it.

The lawyer’s clientele multiplied.

He had uncovered a need.

And he had the means to fill that need.

The roses were in appreciation.

But why 18?

Because in the Jewish religion, the number 18 is the symbol for”life”

The blind lawyer had been reborn.