So here it is: Retirement! I find myself staring out onto my pocket handkerchief garden. Where do I go from here? I decide to start where any self-respecting woman would. I make a list of jobs for Colin to do!
I’m not really sure why I’m bothering with this list because, as Colin always tells me, “When you ask a man to do a job he will do it. There is no need to keep reminding him every six months!”
But no sooner is my list complete than a bombshell hits. Colin needs to go into hospital for a serious operation. So I prepare his weekend bag. Of course we need to buy new pyjamas as his original ones (kept especially for such occasions) appear to have gone astray during our recent move. Typical!
At 7.30 am on the designated day, Colin, pyjamas, slippers and wash bag are all dropped off at the hospital where the operation is very successfully performed.
Visiting isn’t allowed due to Corona so all our communication is via the phone. Early on Day 2, I receive a text message from Colin informing me that he feels fine but could do with a “few bits” leaving at the hospital reception. Would you believe it? He has written a list!
– Clean Pants (I wet all the ones you packed. These urine bottles take some getting used to!)
– Baby Wipes (my hands get so sticky eating all those wine gums you packed)
– Henderson’s Relish (you know I can’t live without it)
– Collect dirty laundry (I’ll send it down with the nurse when she nips down to reception for my bits)
So my New Chapter begins with me following instructions from Colin’s list. How ironic! Well that just serves me right! It’s hardly the Caribbean cruise that retirement dreams are made of, but getting Colin home safe and well will be better than any round-the-world trip.
And don’t worry – once he is fit and well I’ll produce my “things to do in retirement list” for his perusal and we’ll take it from there.
Lynda Taylor
