[SOC] advice of a retired man

[Bob Nielsen]

My wife forwarded this to me.  I suppose there's a message in there
somewhere....

Bob N7XY

>>Subject: Fwd: advice of a retired man
>>
>>It is important for men to remember that as women grow
>>older it becomes harder for them to maintain the same
>>quality of housekeeping 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 do 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.
>>
>>(This was written by the deceased husband of a friend
>>of mine!  He passed on shortly after writing this.)
>>
>>I wonder how he died?!