**Personal Diary Entry**
I had high hopes that my mother would retire, move to the countryside, and leave her three-bedroom flat to me and my husband!
Id like to tell you about my neighbour, Evelyn. Shes 68 now and used to live alone in her spacious flat. Not long ago, she decided to rent it out and go travelling.
Her daughter, Emily, came over to complain about her:
“What on earth is my mother doing? Shes let me down so badly! Now my mother-in-law keeps shouting that Ill lose my marbles in old age too. She says the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. And my husband and I just took out a loan for a carwere already two months behind on payments. We were counting on Mum to help us! But instead, shes gone off gallivanting and rented out her flat!”
I stared at Emily in disbeliefwhy should her mother pay for their car loan? She carried on:
“My mother-in-law is furious that were still living in her house while my mums flat just sits there rented out!”
I suppose Emily wanted my sympathy, but honestly, I think Evelyn did the right thing. Shes earned the right to live as she pleases. Why do people assume that once a woman retires, she must dedicate herself entirely to her children and grandchildren? Its hardly fair! I asked Emily:
“Why dont you and your husband rely on yourselves? Why didnt you spend the last 15 years saving for your own home? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have a reason to nag you.”
Emily sighed:
“We were so sure Mum would retire to the countryside and hand her flat over to us!”
I couldnt resist teasing her a little:
“What if Evelyn remarries? She had a friend who went on holiday to Spain, met a man, and married him. Now shes living there happily. Maybe Evelyn will do the same.”
Emily just gaped at me. The other day, I saw photos of Evelyn onlineshe wrote about how wonderful her trip was and how much shes enjoying life. I was thrilled for her. She made the right choice. Age shouldnt stop anyone from being happy or chasing new adventures. If anything, its the perfect time to start.
