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 Ron. Let me
relate how I handle a situation with my wife.
When I retired a few
years ago, it became necessary for Carol 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 do not 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 my
lunch every day in the Men's Grill at the Golf Club, so eating out is not
an option in the evening.
I am 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 is 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 will not
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 will not
have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now
and then would not 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 front lawn.
I try not to make a
scene. I am 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, if 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.
I am not saying that
showing this much patience & 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
sledgehammer 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.
