Early Retirement
A note from Bob:
Dear Friends,
It is important for men to remember that as women grow older it becomes
harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as they did
when they were younger. When men notice this, they should try not to
yell. Let me relate how I handle the situation.
When I got laid off from my consulting job and took "early retirement"
in January, it became necessary for Nancy to get a full-time job, both
for extra income and for health benefits that we need. She was a trained
medical transcriptionist when we met twenty-eight ears ago and was
fortunate to land a job at a local transcription house. It was shortly
after she started working at this job that I noticed that she was
beginning to show her age.
I usually get home from fishing or hunting about the same time she gets
home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always
says that she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts
supper. I try not to yell at her when this happens. Instead, I tell her to take her time. I
understand that she is not as young as she used to be. I just tell her
to wake me when she finally does get supper on the table.
She used to wash and dry the dishes as soon as we finished eating. It is
now not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after
supper. I do what I can by reminding her several times each evening that
they aren't cleaning themselves. I know she appreciates this, as it does
seem to help her get them done before she goes to bed.
Our washer and dryer are in the basement. When she was younger, Nancy
used to be able to go up and down the stairs all day and not get tired.
Now that she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly.
Sometimes she says she just can't make another trip down those steps. I
don't make a big issue of this. As long as she finishes up the laundry
the next evening I am willing to overlook it.
Not only that, but unless I need something ironed to wear to the Monday
lodge meeting or to Wednesday's or Saturday's poker club or to Tuesday's
or Thursday's bowling or something like that, I will tell her to wait
until the next evening to do the ironing. This gives her a little more
time to do some of those odds and ends things like shampooing the dog,
vacuuming or dusting. Also, if I have had a really good day fishing,
this allows her to gut and scale my fish at a more leisurely pace.
Nancy is starting to complain a little occasionally. Not often, mind
you, but just enough for me to notice. For example, she will say that it
is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her
lunch hour. In spite of her complaining, I continue to try to offer
encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days.
That way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing
lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any, if you know what I
mean.
When doing simple jobs she seems to think she needs more rest periods
than she used to have to take. A couple of weeks ago she said she had to
take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I over
look comments like these because I realize it's just age talking. In
fact, I try not to embarrass her when she needs these little extra rest
breaks. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly
squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. I tell her that as long as
she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me and take
her break by the hammock so she can talk with me until I fall asleep.
I could go on and on, but I think you know where I'm coming from. I know
that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Nancy on a daily
basis. I'm not saying that the ability to show this much consideration
is easy.
Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible. No one
knows better than I do how frustrating women can become as they get
older. My purpose in writing this is simply to suggest that you make the
effort. I realize that achieving the exemplary level of showing
consideration, that I have attained, is out of reach for the average man.
However, guys, even if you just yell at your wife a little less often
because of this article, I will consider that writing it was worthwhile.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Bob's funeral was on Saturday, June 15th.
Nancy was acquitted Monday, June 17th.
[ Author Unknown -- from 'Buffalos Chips' (buffalos-g-jokes.yahoogroups.com) ]
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