At 86, Ive done something my whole family calls madI asked my husband of nearly seven decades for a divorce after I discovered, at 89, he was having an affair.
Yes, you read that right:
Cheating at 89!
When I found out, I immediately called my daughter.
Mum, calm down, she said while I paced the living room, barely able to keep still. Dads so old now. It must be a misunderstanding a mix-up
A mix-up? I snapped. A mix-up is when you lose your glasses, not when youre sneaking around with your partner from yoga!
Yoga? she gasped. Dad does yoga?
Apparently, he does more than downward dog!
Thats right, ladies and gentlemenmy husband cheated on me with a woman from his yoga group.
A young lady of only 80.
Six years younger than me!
Suddenly, everyone had an opinion.
At your age, why bother with a divorce?
Youve spent your whole lives together
Think about the family
But I wasnt going to stay quiet.
I kicked him outwith his suitcase and walking stick.
You shouldve seen ithim trundling down the drive, suitcase dragging behind, leaning on his stick. I even helped him down the front steps of the porch not that it means Ive forgiven him!
My great-grandchildrenyes, the familys a big onewere split into two teams.
Great-Gran, you have to stand your ground, said the eldest, William. Youre worth far more!
But Great-Granny, piped up little Poppy, Great-Grandpa looks so sad dont you miss him?
The family tried not one, not two, but three reconciliation dinners.
Picture itan enormous table, everyone there, my husband at one end, me at the other, everyone else merrily passing dishes between us like some odd peace negotiation.
Pass Gran the mash curry, please.
Let Grandad try the salad
Honestly!
But I refused to budge.
Then, something truly marvellous happened.
After I filed for divorce, I decidedwhy not take up yoga myself?
Yes, yoga!
If my husband can, so can I.
And thats where I met James.
James is a physiotherapist. Fifty-five.
When we first met, he asked,
Excuse me, do you need a hand with this pose?
I beg your pardon? I have a name, I told him. Its Dorothy.
Sorry, Dorothy. Didnt mean to be rude.
Itll be rude if you let me topple over during the tree pose!
He laugheda lovely, warm laugh.
After a month of classes, he asked me out to coffee.
At 86 years old, I have a date with a 55-year-old man.
My granddaughter nearly fainted when I told her.
Gran! Hes thirty-one years younger than you!
Well, I replied, your Grandad went off with a woman six years my junior. At least Im free.
But Gran, its different!
Youre right. My gentleman friend doesnt need a walking stick.
You shouldve seen my familys faces when James came to collect me for our coffee date.
He arrived with flowers, opened the car door for me and as we drove away, I could see the lot of them in the garden, mouths dropped open.
Do you know the funniest part?
He thought I was about seventy.
When I told him my real age, he nearly choked on his cappuccino.
Eighty-six? No way!
Good genes and a decent night cream, darling.
Now everyones asking me whats next.
My husband calls every day from our sons house, where hes living now.
Dorothy, please, cant we talk
Weve nothing to discuss, Harold.
It was a mistake
The mistake was thinking I wouldnt find out.
My friends from the book club are divided as well.
Half think Im a hero, half think Im having some sort of late-life crisis.
But for the first time in years, I feel truly alive.
I do yoga, go for coffee, laughproper, real laughter.
James is kind, respectful, andimportantlyhes not sneaking off with anyone else from yoga.
So tell me honestly:
Am I mad for divorcing at 86 and starting again, or am I finally doing the right thing?
Do you think theres ever an age when someone must simply put up with things?
What advice would you give to this bold great-granny?
At 86 Years Old, I Did Something My Whole Family Calls Madness – I Asked for a Divorce After Discovering My 89-Year-Old Husband Was Cheating on Me
