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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.
My name is Jim. Let me relate
how I handled the situation with
my wife, Peggy. When I retired a
few years ago, it became
necessary for Peggy 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
country 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 Men's Grill at
the club so eating out in the
evening 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, boys, 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 yard. 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
Peggy. 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 get older. However,
guys, even if you just use a
little more tact and less
criticism of your aging wife
because of this article, I will
consider that writing it was
well worthwhile. After all, we
are put on this earth to help
each
other.
Signed,
Jim
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Jim died suddenly on May 27 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 Peggy was arrested and
charged with murder. The
all-woman jury took only 15
minutes to find her Not Guilty,
accepting her defense that Jim
somehow, without looking,
accidentally sat down on his
golf club.
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