cigarman
Member
Subject: HELPFUL HINTS ON HOW TO TREAT YOUR WIFE
A Letter from me, Ron a retired man, on how to tactfully help your wife cope with her aging.
It is important for men to remember that as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of maintaining the home as when they were younger. When you notice this, try to show some understanding. My name is Ron, and let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Betty.
When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Betty to go from part-time to full-time work, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed.
Shortly after she started working longer, I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf course about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she now has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't argue with her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch at the country club, so eating out again at night is not reasonable. I'm ready for home-cooking 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 after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times during the evening that the dishes won't clean themselves. I know she appreciates my concern, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
It seems another symptom of aging is complaining. For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the bills during her lunch hour. But, boys, it's like the minister says, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or three days so she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think that tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. The other day she had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I don't make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is at it, she may as well make one for me, too --- or just bring me a cold beer in a frosted mug.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Betty and I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women can get as they age, but guys, even if you just use a little more tact with your aging wife because of this letter I will consider writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
Signed,
Ron
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Ron died tragically last summer of a perforated rectum. The police report says he was found with a Calloway Big Bertha golf club jammed up his rear end, with a sledge hammer lying nearby. His wife Betty was arrested and charged with murder. The all-woman jury took only 15 minutes to find her not guilty, accepting her explanation that Ron somehow accidentally sat down on his golf club.
A Letter from me, Ron a retired man, on how to tactfully help your wife cope with her aging.
It is important for men to remember that as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of maintaining the home as when they were younger. When you notice this, try to show some understanding. My name is Ron, and let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Betty.
When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Betty to go from part-time to full-time work, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed.
Shortly after she started working longer, I noticed she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf course about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she now has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't argue with her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch at the country club, so eating out again at night is not reasonable. I'm ready for home-cooking 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 after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times during the evening that the dishes won't clean themselves. I know she appreciates my concern, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.
It seems another symptom of aging is complaining. For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the bills during her lunch hour. But, boys, it's like the minister says, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or three days so she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think that tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. The other day she had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I don't make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is at it, she may as well make one for me, too --- or just bring me a cold beer in a frosted mug.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Betty and I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women can get as they age, but guys, even if you just use a little more tact with your aging wife because of this letter I will consider writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
Signed,
Ron
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Ron died tragically last summer of a perforated rectum. The police report says he was found with a Calloway Big Bertha golf club jammed up his rear end, with a sledge hammer lying nearby. His wife Betty was arrested and charged with murder. The all-woman jury took only 15 minutes to find her not guilty, accepting her explanation that Ron somehow accidentally sat down on his golf club.
