We 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, Lucille. Shes 68 now and used to live alone in that three-bedroom flat. Recently, she rented it out and went off on a holiday.
Her daughter, Emily, 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 weve only just taken out a loan for a car! Were already two months behind on payments. We were counting on Mumwe thought shed help us! But shes gone and disappointed usrented out her flat and swanned off on holiday!”
I looked at Emily in confusionwhy should her mother pay for their car loan? But Emily kept going:
“My mother-in-laws furious that were still living in her house while my mum just rented hers out!”
I could tell Emily wanted sympathy, but I thought Lucille had done the right thing. Shes earned the right to live as she pleases. Why do people assume that once a woman retires, she must devote herself entirely to her children and grandchildren? Thats not fair at all! I asked Emily:
“Why dont you and your husband rely on yourselves? Your own efforts? Why didnt you spend the last fifteen years of your marriage saving up for your own home? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have a leg to stand on.”
Emily sighed and said,
“We were so sure Mum would retire to the countryside and leave us her three-bedroom flat!”
So I decided to tease her a little and said,
“What if Lucille remarries? She had a friend who went on holiday to Spain, met a man, and married him. Now she lives there happily. Maybe Lucille will do the same.”
At that, Emily stared at me, bewildered. Not long ago, I saw photos of Lucille online. She wrote about how she was enjoying her break and living life to the fullest. I was happy for her. I think she made the right choice. Age shouldnt stop anyone from being happy or chasing new adventuresif anything, its the best time to start.
