We had such high hopes that my mum 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 lived alone in her three-bedroom flat. Recently, she rented it out and went off on holiday.
Her daughter, Charlotte, came to me and complained:
“What on earth is my mother doing? Shes let me down terribly! 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 shes gone and rented out the flat and swanned off on a trip!”
I stared at Charlotte in disbelief. Why should her mother pay for their car loan? But she carried on:
“My mother-in-laws furious were still living in her place while Mums flat is sitting emptywell, not empty, rented out!”
I suppose Charlotte expected sympathy, but I think Evelyn did the right thing. Shes earned the right to live as she pleases. Why do people assume a woman must dedicate her retirement entirely to her children and grandchildren? Its just not fair! So I asked Charlotte:
“Why dont you rely on yourself and your husband? On your own efforts? Why didnt you spend the last 15 years of married life saving for your own home? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have a leg to stand on.”
Charlotte sighed.
“We had such hope that Mum would retire, move to the countryside, and hand over her three-bed flat to us!”
I couldnt resist teasing her.
“What if Evelyn remarries? She had a friend who went on holiday to Spain, met a bloke, and married him. Now shes living there happily. Maybe Evelyn will do the same.”
At that, Charlotte gaped at me. Not long ago, I saw photos of Evelyn online. She wrote about how much she was enjoying herself, living life to the full. I was thrilled for her. She made the right choice. Age shouldnt stop anyone from being happy or chasing new adventureslifes too short for regrets.
