Wed once held such high hopes that, when my mother retired, shed retreat to the countryside and gift her spacious three-bedroom flat to my husband and me!
Let me tell you about my neighbour, Margaret. Shes 68 now, and for years, she lived alone in her lovely three-bedroom flat. Just recently, however, Margaret decided to let her flat out and set off on a grand holiday.
Her daughter, who lives close by, came around to mine rather upset and said:
What on earth is my mother playing at? Shes completely let me down! Now my mother-in-law is having a go at me, saying Ill go just as mad in my old age, that the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. My husband and I only recently took out a loan to buy a car, and weve already missed two payments. We were really counting on Mum we thought shed help us out! Instead, shes let her flat and gone away on a jolly!
I looked at Emily, quite taken aback why on earth did she expect her mother to pay off their car loan? But Emily went on:
My mother-in-law is furious that were still living with her, especially now my mums let out her own place!
I could tell Emily wanted my sympathy, but I honestly felt Margaret was quite right. Shes entitled to a life of her own choosing. Why do so many people assume that, when a woman retires, she must dedicate her life to her children and grandchildren? Its really not fair! So I asked Emily:
Why dont you and your husband try standing on your own two feet? Why havent you spent the last fifteen years of married life saving for your own home? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have anything to grumble about.
Emily replied:
Wed pinned all our hopes on my mother that, once she retired, shed move out to the village, and the flat would come to us!
I couldnt resist teasing her a bit:
Suppose Margaret gets married again? Theres a lady I knew who went on holiday to Italy, met someone special, and now shes living there quite happily. Margaret could just as easily do the same!
Emily stared at me as though Id lost my mind. The other day, I saw photos that Margaret had posted online. She wrote that she was having a wonderful rest and truly enjoying herself. I was genuinely happy for her. Its clear to me that shes done the right thing. Age is no barrier to happiness, nor to chasing new experiences and delight in life.
