Mot: It's important for men to remember that as women grow older…..
TNT:
Mot: It's important for men to remember that as women grow older…..
It's important for men to remember that as women grow older, household tasks may not come as easily to them as they once did. When this happens, patience is key—after all, there's nothing worse than an overstressed wife.
My name is Fred, and I’d like to share how I’ve handled this with my wife, Linda.
When I retired a few years ago, Linda had to take on a full-time job in addition to her part-time one, both to help with expenses and to maintain our health insurance. Not long after, I began noticing little signs that she was slowing down. I usually get home from the golf course about the same time she arrives from work. Even though she knows how hungry I am, she often says she needs a short break before making dinner.
Now, I don’t complain. Instead, I encourage her to rest as long as she needs—then wake me up when the food is on the table. Since I usually have a hearty lunch at the club, eating out again isn’t practical. By the time I walk in the door, I’m more than ready for a nice home-cooked meal.
In the past, Linda would clear the table and do the dishes right after dinner. Lately, though, I’ve noticed that they sometimes sit there for hours. I do my best to be supportive by gently reminding her—several times—that they won’t clean themselves. I know she appreciates these little nudges because, eventually, she gets them done before bed.
Another thing about aging is that it seems to bring out a tendency to complain. Take the bills, for example. Linda often says she struggles to find time to pay them during her lunch break. But hey, we vowed to take each other for better or worse, so I offer my best advice: spread it out over two or three days so she won’t feel rushed. I also reassure her that skipping lunch every now and then wouldn’t do any harm (if you catch my drift).
When it comes to household chores, she’s been needing more breaks. Just the other day, she stopped halfway through mowing the lawn. Now, I didn’t make a fuss. I’m a reasonable man. I told her to take a break, fix herself a big, cold glass of fresh lemonade, and sit down for a while. And, of course, since she was making one, she might as well bring me one, too.
I know I probably sound like a saint for being so patient with Linda. Believe me, it’s not easy. Some men might struggle to show this level of understanding. But if my story encourages even one husband to be more considerate toward his aging wife, then sharing it will have been worth it. After all, we’re here to help each other.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Fred passed away unexpectedly on July 23 due to a freak accident. According to the police report, he was found with a 50-inch titanium golf club lodged in a rather unfortunate place, with only five inches of grip still visible. A nearby sledgehammer suggested it had been "gently encouraged" into position. His wife, Linda, was taken into custody but was swiftly acquitted by an all-female jury. Her defense? Fred had somehow, without looking, accidentally sat on his own golf club.
