Mark
Moderator / Sponsor
Here is a story I received by e-mail from a friend thought you guys
and gals would appreciate it.
Note: The guy that wrote this is now dead.....something about he
smothered in his sleep
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 they did when they were younger. When men notice
this, they should try not to yell. Let me relate how I handle the
situation.
When I chucked my job and took early retirement a year ago,
it became necessary for Nancy to get a full-time job both for extra
income and for health insurance benefits that we need. She was a
trained lab tech when we met thirty some years ago and was fortunate
to land a job at the local medical center as a phlebotomist.
It was shortly after she started working at this job that I
noticed that she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home
from fishing or hunting about the same time she gets home from work.
Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says that she
has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts supper. I try
not to yell at her when this happens. Instead, I tell her to take
her time. I understand that she is not as young as she used to be. I
just tell her to wake me when she finally does get supper on the
table.
She used to wash and dry the dishes as soon as we finished
eating. It is now not unusual for them to sit on the table for
several hours after supper. I do what I can by reminding her several
times each evening that they aren't cleaning themselves. I know she
appreciates this, as it does seem to help her get them done before
she goes to bed.
Our washer and dryer are in the basement. When she was
younger, Nancy used to be able to go up and down the stairs all day
and not get tired. Now that she is older she seems to get tired so
much more quickly. Sometimes she says she just can't make another
trip down those steps. I don't make a big issue of this. As long as
she finishes up the laundry the next evening I am willing to
overlook it. Not only that, but unless I need something ironed to
wear to the Monday's lodge meeting or to
Wednesday's or Saturday's poker club or to Tuesday's or Thursday's
bowling or something like that, I will tell her to wait until the
next evening to do the ironing. This gives her a little more time to
o some of those odds and ends things like shampooing the dog,
vacuuming, or dusting. Also, if I have had a really good day
fishing, this allows her to gut and scale the fish at a more
leisurely pace.
Nancy is starting to complain a little occasionally. Not
often, mind you, but just enough for me to notice. For example, she
will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the
monthly bills during her lunch hour. In spite of her complaining, I
continue to try to 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.
When doing simple jobs she seems to think she needs more rest
periods than she used to have to take. A couple of weeks ago she
said she had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing
the yard. I overlook comments like these because I realize it's just
age talking. In fact, I try to not embarrass her when she needs
these little extra rest breaks. I tell her to fix herself a nice,
big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a
while. I tell her that as long as she is making one for herself, she
may as well make one for me and take her break by the hammock so she
can talk with me until I fall asleep.
I could go on and on, but I think you know where I'm coming
from. I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support
Nancy on a daily basis. I'm not saying that the ability to show this
much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some
will find it impossible. No one knows better than I do how
frustrating women can become as they get older. My purpose in
writing this is simply to suggest that you make the effort. I
realize that achieving the exemplary level of showing consideration
I have attained is out of reach for the average man. However guys,
even if you just yell at your wife a little less often because of
this article, I will consider that writing it was worthwhile.
***************************************************
Lighten up and laugh a little!
and gals would appreciate it.
Note: The guy that wrote this is now dead.....something about he
smothered in his sleep
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 they did when they were younger. When men notice
this, they should try not to yell. Let me relate how I handle the
situation.
When I chucked my job and took early retirement a year ago,
it became necessary for Nancy to get a full-time job both for extra
income and for health insurance benefits that we need. She was a
trained lab tech when we met thirty some years ago and was fortunate
to land a job at the local medical center as a phlebotomist.
It was shortly after she started working at this job that I
noticed that she was beginning to show her age. I usually get home
from fishing or hunting about the same time she gets home from work.
Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says that she
has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts supper. I try
not to yell at her when this happens. Instead, I tell her to take
her time. I understand that she is not as young as she used to be. I
just tell her to wake me when she finally does get supper on the
table.
She used to wash and dry the dishes as soon as we finished
eating. It is now not unusual for them to sit on the table for
several hours after supper. I do what I can by reminding her several
times each evening that they aren't cleaning themselves. I know she
appreciates this, as it does seem to help her get them done before
she goes to bed.
Our washer and dryer are in the basement. When she was
younger, Nancy used to be able to go up and down the stairs all day
and not get tired. Now that she is older she seems to get tired so
much more quickly. Sometimes she says she just can't make another
trip down those steps. I don't make a big issue of this. As long as
she finishes up the laundry the next evening I am willing to
overlook it. Not only that, but unless I need something ironed to
wear to the Monday's lodge meeting or to
Wednesday's or Saturday's poker club or to Tuesday's or Thursday's
bowling or something like that, I will tell her to wait until the
next evening to do the ironing. This gives her a little more time to
o some of those odds and ends things like shampooing the dog,
vacuuming, or dusting. Also, if I have had a really good day
fishing, this allows her to gut and scale the fish at a more
leisurely pace.
Nancy is starting to complain a little occasionally. Not
often, mind you, but just enough for me to notice. For example, she
will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the
monthly bills during her lunch hour. In spite of her complaining, I
continue to try to 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.
When doing simple jobs she seems to think she needs more rest
periods than she used to have to take. A couple of weeks ago she
said she had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing
the yard. I overlook comments like these because I realize it's just
age talking. In fact, I try to not embarrass her when she needs
these little extra rest breaks. I tell her to fix herself a nice,
big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a
while. I tell her that as long as she is making one for herself, she
may as well make one for me and take her break by the hammock so she
can talk with me until I fall asleep.
I could go on and on, but I think you know where I'm coming
from. I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support
Nancy on a daily basis. I'm not saying that the ability to show this
much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some
will find it impossible. No one knows better than I do how
frustrating women can become as they get older. My purpose in
writing this is simply to suggest that you make the effort. I
realize that achieving the exemplary level of showing consideration
I have attained is out of reach for the average man. However guys,
even if you just yell at your wife a little less often because of
this article, I will consider that writing it was worthwhile.
***************************************************
Lighten up and laugh a little!
