Home » Murray Rubin’s Royal Visit (you must watch the video)

Murray Rubin’s Royal Visit (you must watch the video)

https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02019111453683/sophie-countess-of-wessex-toronto-western-hospital

This past Thursday Sophie, Duchess of Wessex (married to the Queen’s youngest son Edward – thank goodness it wasn’t Andrew – he’s in a spot of hot tea. Dad decided not to mention him to the Duchess – good choice dad) made a visit to Toronto Western Hospital stroke unit to see Murray (she might have met with a couple of others, but the 20 or so people in my dad’s room –  Hello Canada, other press, Scotland Yard, more security, doctors, nurses and administrators were focussed on Mur!) 

Yes, he had a small stroke two days earlier, which would have been front page news on this blog, had it not been completely overshadowed by the Royal visit (isn’t that just how life goes?)  The day before, in anticipation of the RV, Dad was moved from a semi-private facing a brick wall, to a private room, with a lovely western view.  (He slept very well, thanks for asking) My mom and I arrived quite early hoping to meet with his doc and ask some questions. We were soon all swept up in the excitement of her Royal Highness’s impending arrival. Roda (mom) and I practiced our courtsies (which in the end were thankfully not required, because mine looked way more like a deep plié.) Nor did we have a chance to address her as Your Royal Highness – the first time – then Ma’am every subsequent time – our speedy royal protocol lesson. We were not addressed.

Doc arrived a little before her Highness and did some strength tests – push hard against my hand with your leg, arm etc…) He said he’d try to be quick. My dad suggested they just leave it for the Duchess to do. 

The room looked pretty spanky. As you might imagine, the entire unit was in quite a flap. Three different people came in to straighten, wipe the white board clean and scrape who knows what off the bathroom door. (In case you were wondering, clean as it was, the Duchess did not use the ensuite)

And then in she swept. Dad, mom and I would all agree that she was lovely, gracious and fun. They had quite a lengthy conversation, for a Royal convo, (see attached video from Hello Canada! I said SEE ATTACHED VIDEO FROM HELLO CANADA!) OY!! Who’d have ever thought that Murray Rubin, the open-your-mouth-and-say-whatever-comes-to-mind, child of Jewish immigrants from Poland, would, at the age of almost 89, be having a personal Royal visit? 

Things wrapped up after Murray made a few comments on the relevancy of the Monarchy, based primarily on how much fuss was made in anticipation, and how excited we all ended up being. It really made our morning!!! Distractions on the stroke unit are very useful. As the last of the entourage were leaving the room Murray called out “Regards to the Queen!!!” 

So that was our day. In stroke-related news, all the deficits (mostly left arm movements) resolved very quickly. Aside form one really shitty omelette, the food was pretty good. Murray was discharged and is now home resting comfortably, reading Hello Canada (perhaps we’ll get a subscription)!!! 

November 16, 2019 Murray Rubin's Royal Visit (you must watch the video) 19 comment

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Name: Murray Rubin

Short Bio: I was born in Toronto in 1931 to a wonderful mother who divorced shortly before my birth. I owe a great deal of my success to her. I am Jewish but not at all religious, yet my culture plays an important part of my personality. I attended Harbord Collegiate and U. of T. Faculty of Pharmacy. A unique mail-order pharmacy was the first of my endeavours in the profession, followed by many stores throughout Ontario. I have a loving wife, 3 children and grand-children and I am now retired from pharmacy. But what do I write about? Everything! My topics are funny, serious, whimsical, timely, outrageous, inspiring, and inventive. I promise that if you take the time to read any one of these topics – you will not be sorry.

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