Something we can all learn from.
Subject: 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 this becomes apparent, 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 handled this situation with my wife,
Carol. 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 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 Grill at the golf club, so eating out is not an
option for us in the evening. I'm ready for some home-cooked food when I walk
through 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 chaps, we take them 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 would help her figure. 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 lawn. I tried
not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I told her to fix herself a nice, big,
cold glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and just relax for a while. And,
as long as she is making one for herself, she might as well make one for me
too.

I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Carol. I'm not
saying that showing this much patience & consideration is easy. Many men would
find it difficult if not impossible. Nobody knows better than I do how
frustrating women get as they get older.
However, Chaps, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of
your ageing wife as a result of reading this article, I will consider that
writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help
each other.


Ron died suddenly of a perforated rectum after publishing this letter.
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. A sledge hammer was laying nearby.


His wife Carol, was arrested and charged with murder. The all-woman jury took
only 9 minutes to find her "Not Guilty", accepting her defence that Ron,
somehow without looking, accidentally sat down on his golf club.