I am tired of living alone. But I haven’t the faintest idea what to do about it. What really brought this on is making my bed alone. I recently stripped the bed and forgot about it. So at 11 p.m., I was ready for bed with no sheets. Of course, I made my bed, stretching and walking around and around to get it done. I felt so sorry for myself because it would have been so much easier with two!
Also, I can’t reach the top shelf in my cabinets and hesitate to get on a ladder. Just plain walking seems to be more hazardous than it used to be, so I have decided to give up ladders. I can’t get the extension leaves out of my dining room table alone, so after company leaves, I am stuck with a big table.
But to be honest, I also feel the need from time to time for just plain companionship. How would it be if I advertised? I threatened my late husband that I was going to advertise for a traveling companion—he was a dedicated homebody and didn’t like to travel. I could submit this to the paper: “Fairly decent lady desires occasional help with household chores and companionship. Sleepovers may be required. (Don’t roll your eyes, I have an extra bedroom!) Pay is negotiable and some meals provided if the hours are long.”
But male or female? That is the question.
A male accepting this kind of situation would probably not have much going for him. I would question his education and his habits. A sweet little widow lady might be easier to find, but she would probably be depressing company and afraid of ladders.
A man could also do a little yard work and unload groceries. A woman and I would probably like the same shows on Netflix. Most men just watch sports or westerns, right? I wonder which would talk the most about their past and their problems. Men don’t seem as likely to have a house full of grandchildren over every weekend, but they can be big “me talkers.”
At present, if I fall, there is no one to pick me up. More important, there is no one to bring me breakfast in bed and I do love it so! As you know, I have to bring my own! I have no one to zip up the back of my dress. Even worse, there is no one to unzip me after I get home and want to go to bed. That is so much better than stopping by the filling station. Sleeping in a tight dress is no fun!
Women would eat less and are more apt to eat leftovers. But some men are great cooks and like to grill. Oh my, I haven’t had anything grilled in ages! This is hard! I expect a woman might want to move in and stay forever. She would take up all my storage space and have a bunch of shoes. I think a man might be more interested in being helpful—offering occasional companionship and then going about his business.
I could gain companionship and help with some of the little chores that are hard for me to do, but what would I lose? Privacy and freedom, which are the biggest pluses for living alone. Most choices are just to suit myself—food, TV, sleep, dishes in the sink. I choose what commitments I want to make and how I will carry them through. Rethinking this whole issue, I will just leave things as they are and fuss a bit if anybody will listen.
I might as well tell you, though, the men won out as the sex I would have hired!
Jeanette Smith, 95, a Blythewood resident, has been active in the community’s civic affairs for over 50 years.