Advice from a Retired Golfing Husband Man vs. Woman / Back Home
Thanks to Mary Lou for sending this one!
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, Terri. When I retired a few years ago, it
became necessary for Terri 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 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 Terri. 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 February 7 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 Terri was arrested and
charged with murder. The all-woman jury took only 10 minutes
to find her Not Guilty, accepting her defense that Jim,
somehow without looking, accidentally
sat down on his golf club.