ADVICE FROM A RETIRED HUSBAND

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 oversensitive20woman.  My name is Ron. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife,

Carol Anne. When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Carol Anne 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

Men’s Grill at the club, so eating out 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 she20needs 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 Carol Anne.

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.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Ron died suddenly on January 31 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 lying nearby. His wife

Carol Anne was arrested and charged with murder. The all-woman jury took only 10 minutes to

find her Not Guilty, accepting her defense that Ron, somehow without looking,

accidentally sat down on his golf club.