We had high hopes that my mum would finally retire, move to the countryside, and leave her three-bedroom flat to me and my husband!
Let me tell you about my neighbour, Margaret. Shes 68 now. She lived alone in her spacious three-bedroom flat. Recently, Margaret decided to let out her flat and go travelling.
Her daughter, Charlotte, came to see me and started complaining about her:
What on earth is my mum doing? Im so disappointed in her! Now my mother-in-law keeps going on about how Ill go off the rails in my old age, just like my mother. She says the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. And weve just taken out a loan to buy a car! Were already two months behind with the payments. We were really counting on Mum to help us out! But instead, shes let out her flat and gone off on a holiday!
I looked at Charlotte in surprise, wondering why her mum was suddenly responsible for paying off the loan on their car. But Charlotte kept on:
My mother-in-law is furious that were living with her, while my mum has let out her place!
I could tell Charlotte was hoping Id sympathise with her, but honestly, I think Margaret has every right to do what she wants with her flat and her time. Why do people assume that as soon as a woman retires, shes meant to dedicate her whole life to her children and grandchildren? It just isnt fair! I asked Charlotte,
Why dont you and your husband rely on yourselves? Why not put in the effort over the last fifteen years to buy your own place? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt be complaining.
Charlotte replied,
We really thought that once Mum retired, shed move to the country and give us her three-bedroom flat!
So I decided to tease Charlotte a bit and said,
What if Margaret finds herself a husband too? My friend Angela went on holiday to Spain, met someone, got married out thereand now shes living happily ever after. Maybe Margaret will do the same!
At that, Charlotte just stared at me, clearly taken aback. I saw Margarets holiday photos online recently. She looked so relaxed and joyfulshe wrote that she was thoroughly enjoying herself. I was honestly happy for her. I truly think she did the right thing. Age is no barrier to happiness or to seeking out new, wonderful experiences in life.
