I was only 22 years old when I found myself alone, without a husband, with little Michael in my arms. My son was just two years old. My husband left because he grew tired of the endless worries, resenting the need to earn money and spend it on his family.
He didnt enjoy it. I suppose, why spend money on your family when you could spend it on yourself and your mistress? No matter what kind of husband he was, his leaving actually made things easier for me. With him gone, everything fell on my shoulders. I enrolled Michael in nursery and went to work myself. I remember sometimes being so exhausted that I couldn’t feel my feet, yet my home was always in order, dinner was cooked, and my child was clean and well-fed.
My mother always taught me these things, and our generation was made of sterner stuff. I admit now that I spoiled my son a bit. Even at 27, Michael couldnt fry an egg. But recently, he married, and I thought hed finally found a wife who would care for him, and I could pursue my hobbies, maybe even change jobs and enjoy a peaceful life. To sum up, I was ready to live quietly. Then my son told me he and his wife wanted to stay at my place for a while. Of course, I wasnt thrilled, but I agreed, thinking his wife would cook for him, do his washing, and Id just need a bit of patience.
But that wasnt how it turned out. Emily was a true character. She never tidied up after herself at the table, never washed dishes, never handled any laundry for herself or Michael, didnt even sweep the room she did nothing at all.
For three months, I looked after three people. Did I really need this? What did my daughter-in-law do? Since Michael decided he would provide for the family, Emily didn’t work anywhere. All day, until Michael came home, she was either out with friends in town or glued to her phone. And I was working. When I returned home, the house was a mess, things scattered everywhere, the fridge completely empty, and no dinner waiting for anyone. So off I would go to Tesco, pick up food, cook everything, then wash up afterwards. Emily didnt have a scrap of conscience. She even came to me once while I was washing up and handed me a plate shed kept in her room for days. Shed forgotten it, and by then, it had a swarm of flies and goodness knows what else on it. The next time she brought me a dirty plate, I told her shed have washed up herself if she had a shred of decency.
And what do you think happened? Did she apologise or try to help? No, the next day, in a fit of anger, she and Michael packed up and rented a flat. My son told me I was trying to ruin his familyjust because Id told his wife to wash the dishes at least once? Well, thank goodness, now Ill live in peace and tidiness without needing to clean up after anyone. Young people these days, I tell you, are hopeless. Completely useless.
But looking back, I realise that every generation faces its own challenges and expectations. Perhaps the lesson is not to cling too tightly to how things used to be, but to find understanding in the differences and remember that sometimes, letting go is the best way forward for everyone.
