Bring, bring, bringI’ve heard that my whole life, and honestly, Im sick of it. At 54, Ive decided. Im getting a divorce.
This morning, the phone ringsits my neighbour. She asks, Have you heard what your cousins done?
I said, No, I havent. Whats happened?
She says, Apparently shes filing for divorce at the age of 54, after thirty years of marriage.
Honestly, my jaw hit the floor! I thought they seemed like such a normal familyher husband doesnt drink, hes a pensioner now, nine years older than she is. Theyve got three grown children, all living on their own, and five grandchildren already. And out of nowhere, shes decided to call time on it.
I thought, maybe someones got their wires crossed. So I called my cousin and suggested we meet up. We agreed to have a walk and a chat in the park, just to talk things through.
She told me, Ive got nothing left to give. My whole life has felt like Ive been running on a hamster wheel. My husband worked, and I did toobut after a long day at work, hed just collapse on the sofa to watch telly, or go down the pub for a pint with his mates. I, meanwhile, started my second shift at home. I reckon loads of women know exactly what I mean.
You finish work, then youre back at it: laundry, making tea, getting stuff sorted for tomorrow because you know the kids need something to eat when they get back from school. Then theres cleaning up, doing the dishes, getting the vacuum out because, well, my husbands shattered and the kids say theyre busy with homework or after-school clubs. Plus, a hundred other jobs anyone whos ever run a household will recognise.
I always thought things would ease up once the kids grew up. But I was wrong. The kids left, my husband retired, and guess whatI never stopped working.
And now, my dear husband is either in the house all day or off fishing, but he never lifts a finger at home. He just waits for me to get back and expects everything to be done.
The straw that broke the camels back was when I caught a cold. He got home from fishing, didnt ask how I was or if I needed anything, just went straight to the fridge, moaned there was nothing to eat, and barked that I could at least have boiled some potatoes, seeing as it isnt that difficult.
So I snapped back, If its really that easy, do it yourself then! And what does he say? Well, whats the point of having a wife if Ive got to cook for myself?
I told him, thats it, Im done. Were splitting the house, taking our own space, and Ill finally live a bit for myself.
The kids arent happy about itthey say Im leaving him on his own, that he hasnt got a clue and hell be helpless.
But I cant bring myself to care anymore. Hes made his bed. If he cant appreciate what hes got, let him see what lifes like on his own.
Thats how it is. Maybe things will calm down, but my cousin seems pretty firm in her decision.
I still worry a bit, you knowits not easy being left to fend for yourself in old age.
What would you do in my shoes?
