A LETTER TO MEN.

A Letter
to Men

Dear
Gentlemen,

It is
important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for
them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger.
When you notice this, try to show some
understanding.

My name
is Wayne , and let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Barb.
When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Barb to get a full time
job along with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the health
benefits that we needed. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was
beginning to show her age. I usually get home from the golf course about the
same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she
almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts
dinner. I don't yell at her.. instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake
me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill
at the country club, so eating out again at night is not reasonable. I'm ready
for some home-cooking when I hit that door.

She used
to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating, but now it's not unusual for
them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by
diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that the dishes won't
clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to
motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.

Another
symptom of aging is complaining. For example, she will say that it is difficult
for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But, boys,
we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell
her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have to
rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then
wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean). I like to think that this is
one of my strong points.

When
doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to
take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I try not to make
a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of
freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is
making one for herself, she may as well make one for me, too --- or just bring
me a cold beer in a frosted mug.

I know
that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Barb, and I'm not saying
that showing this much consideration is easy. Nobody knows better than I do how
frustrating women get as they get older, but, guys, even if you just use a
little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this letter, I
will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this
earth to help each other.

Signed,

Wayne

**EDITOR'S NOTE: Wayne died tragically on
March 1st of a perforated rectum. The police report says he was found with a
TaylorMade R-11s with an
extra-long 48-inch stiff flex shaft jammed up his rectal sphincter, with barely
5 inches of grip showing and a sledge hammer lying nearby. His wife Barb was
arrested and charged with murder. The all-woman jury took only 15 minutes to
find her Not Guilty, accepting her defense that Wayne somehow, without looking,
accidentally sat down on his golf
club.