We had high hopes that my mother would retire, move to the countryside, and leave her three-bedroom flat to me and my husband!
Let me tell you about our neighbour, Lucille. Shes now 68 and had been living alone in her spacious flat. Not long ago, she decided to rent it out and set off on a grand tour.
Her daughter, Eleanor, came to me one day, full of grievances:
“What on earth is my mother doing? Shes let me down terribly! Now my mother-in-law keeps scolding me, saying Ill lose my senses in old age just like her. She claims the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. And with my husband and I having just taken out a loan for a new motorcar, were already two months behind on payments! We were counting on Mum to help us, but instead, shes gone and rented out the flat and dashed off on holiday!”
I looked at Eleanor in astonishmentwhy should her mother be responsible for their motorcar loan? Undeterred, Eleanor carried on:
“My mother-in-law is furious that were still living in her house while my own mother has let out her flat!”
I suppose she expected my sympathy. But I believe Lucille did the right thing. She has every right to live as she pleases. Why must people assume that once a woman retires, she ought to devote herself entirely to her children and grandchildren? It simply isnt fair! So I asked Eleanor,
“Why dont you and your husband rely on yourselves? On your own efforts? Why didnt you spend the last fifteen years of your marriage saving for a home of your own? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have cause to reproach you.”
Eleanor sighed and admitted,
“We had such hopes that once Mum retired, shed move to the countryside, and wed inherit her three-bedroom flat!”
Feeling a bit mischievous, I teased her,
“And what if Lucille remarries? She had a friend who holidayed in Spain, met a charming gentleman, and tied the knot. Now she lives there quite happily. Perhaps Lucille will do the same.”
At that, Eleanor stared at me in shock. Not long after, I stumbled upon Lucilles photographs online. She wrote of feeling revitalised and delighted by life. I was glad for her. She made the right choice. Age should never stand in the way of happiness or new, joyful adventures.
