Page 58 - My Memoirs - Max Kurz

2000-2007 From a Bad Mistake to a Long-Awaited Miracle
November 18, 2000 brought about my 60th Birthday. A memorable event, a surprise party organised by my family and attended by my family and friends. The location was a restaurant in Kingsford which was a dance venue with a Latin band, perfect! It was as great night, meeting my long-lost school friend Stephen Kellner and his brother George, Mark Eriera playing his harmonica, and dancing salsa. My kids organised a surprise trip to the Gold Coast staying at a hotel with Wayne and invited to another dinner party put on by my cousin Ruthie. I was now a senior but feeling like a very happy child.
Life was a kaleidoscope of events, family, friends, relationships, work, all of which to those looking in from the outside made my life look enviable. It was anything but, there was a notable void, I was busy, able to fill my life with activity. However, I would have gladly swapped it all if the right person had come along.
I thought that may have happened when I met Jennifer Perlmutter. An attractive looking intelligent lady who I connected with and met in the dog park; Jenny was passionate about her dogs. She had 2 dogs, Byron, a golden retriever, and Tallulah, a blue heeler. I loved animals so we had common ground. Our relationship grew through mutual interests. Jenny had a great sense of humour, easy to talk to, loved being outdoors with her dogs which occupied most of her time; to all intense and purpose she appeared down to earth. We talked a lot about our dreams, travel, relationships which to me was a revelation to meet someone that appeared to be in sync with my ideals.
Unfortunately, that all changed as time went on, we eventually got married and from that day on, unbeknown to both of us we were on a one-way journey downhill. In summary we had built our relationship on ideals, beliefs, and dreams about how we could mutually change our lives as a couple. It became evident that Jenny was not able to embrace change, she was a creature of habit dependant on her overly zealous responsibility towards her dogs. Jenny was also dependant and greatly influenced by her mother who never approved of our relationship and this became an obstacle. It became obvious that Jenny was not about to move from where she lived, even time away or holidays were a problem. Our reality and aspirations were poles apart. It was an event I could not foresee, because I was caught up with my own ideals. What I thought was mutual was anything but, I felt
58