Oh, you wont believe whats been going on! We were so sure my mum would retire, move to the countryside, and leave her lovely three-bedroom flat in London to me and my husband!
Let me tell you about our neighbour, Margaret. Shes 68 now and used to live alone in her three-bedroom place. Well, guess what? She recently rented it out and went off on a grand holiday!
Her daughter, Emily, came over to mine the other day and was fuming:
“What on earth is my mum thinking? Shes let me down so badly! Now my mother-in-law keeps going on about how Ill lose the plot when Im older toosays the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. And me and my husband just took out a loan for a new car! Were already two months behind on payments. We were counting on Mum to help us out, but noshes gone and rented out the flat and swanned off on holiday!”
I just looked at Emily, baffledwhy should her mum be paying off their car loan? But she carried on:
“My mother-in-laws livid that were still living in her place while Mums off renting hers out!”
I get that Emily wants sympathy, but honestly? Good for Margaret! Shes earned the right to live how she wants. Why do people think retirement means women should just give up everything for their kids and grandkids? Its not fair, is it? So I asked Emily,
“Why dont you and your husband rely on yourselves? Your own hard work? Why didnt you spend the last 15 years saving up for your own place? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have a leg to stand on.”
Emily just sighed and said,
“We were so sure Mum would retire to the countryside, and wed get her three-bedroom flat!”
Well, I couldnt resist teasing her a bit, so I said,
“What if Margaret meets someone and gets married? Shes got that friend who went on holiday to Spain, met a bloke, and stayed there happily ever after. Maybe Margaret will do the same!”
Emily just stared at me, gobsmacked. The other day, I saw Margarets photos onlineshes having the time of her life, soaking up the sun and loving every minute. And Im thrilled for her! Shes done the right thing. Age shouldnt stop anyone from being happy or trying new things. Lifes too short, isnt it?
