A friend, Alf, who is now retired gave me this little
piece of advice for husbands, if you don’t fancy a nasty end I suggest you do not to follow it!
"Now David, 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 when
they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them.
Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive
woman.
Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife. When I retired a
few years ago, it became necessary for Janice to get a full-time job, along
with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that
we needed. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning
to show her age. I usually get home from the golf club about the same
time she gets home from work.
Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for
half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her.
Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets
dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the village, so eating out
again is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit
that door.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating.
But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours
after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that
they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it
does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think, for example, she will say
that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her
lunch hour. But, as you know, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and
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). I like to think tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods.
She had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the garden.
I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix
herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a
while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well
make one for me, too.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support my wife.
I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many
men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible!
Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating
women get as they grow older. However, even if you just use a little
more tact and less criticism of your slowly aging wife because of my advice, I will
consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on
this earth to help each other."
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Alf, died suddenly on the 22nd of June of a perforated rectum. The
police report says he was found with a Calloway extra-long 50-inch Big Bertha
Driver II golf club jammed up his rear end, with barely 5 inches of grip showing,
and a sledge hammer laying nearby. His wife was arrested and charged with
murder. The all-woman jury took only 10 minutes to find her Not Guilty,
accepting her defence that Alf, somehow without looking, accidentally sat down
on his golf club.
