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HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH A RETIRED HUSBAND?

© Kathern Welsh

This may not be an actual "health" issue, but believe me, when your husband retires, it can affect your health in one way or another. If you're still working when the dear man retires, perhaps there won't be too big of a change. On the other hand, he might be a very welcome help around the house. If he's handy in the kitchen, perhaps he'll have dinner ready for you now and then. If you're really blessed, he'll even keep the house clean and do the laundry while you work, so you can more fully enjoy your time together.

Sound too good to be true? I've known couples who have exactly this type of relationship. More power to them! If you don't work for any reason, then be prepared for your day-to-day routine to be drastically altered. No longer do you have the freedom to do your tasks however and whenever you choose! Also be prepared for spur of the moment changes in your plans.

Why do I say this? Well, my husband retired about three months ago, due to a heart problem. It happened suddenly and when he came home one Thursday evening and told me "tomorrow is my last day at work" I was hit with a wave of fear. I was in shock! Not because he was forced to retire, but a picture suddenly flew through my mind of him being home all day! I had a flash of sheer panic!

What will I do, I thought all night! How will I know what I'm supposed to do?

The next night he came home with his belongings from his work desk, and we went out to dinner. I'd been feeling this internal turmoil since the evening before and I didn't quite know how to handle it. Here was my dear, sweet, helpful husband, so very happy to be retired and wanting me to share his joy. However, no matter how hard I tried, I was filled with this gnawing uneasiness and panic!

Finally, Sonny could stand it no longer, and confronted me point blank.

"What is the matter? Why won't you talk to me, or at least smile once in a while?" he asked, a little peeved at me.

I really hadn't realized how unsuccessful I'd been at my attempt to hide my true and unexpected feelings. Forced to respond to him, I said, "Well, I think I'm scared! I have a certain routine and way I do things, and I don't know what to do if you're going to be home all the time!"

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