Do as I Say, Not as I Do

An aging man and woman had lived out the majority of their allotted days, and there came a time when “Charlie” made an unexpected statement to his wife.

“Charlene, I worked hard all my life, didn’t I? Well, it’s time for me to rest.”

(And rest he did).

From that day forward Charlie spent the majority of his days in his living room recliner; looking out his back window, and watching the ducks and alligators on his private pond. His oldest son would sometimes visit his father, and, without fail, find him dozing in that same old predictable setting, and with a half-smile he’d exclaim,

“Wake up Daddy. There’s plenty of time for sleeping later on!”

Charlie’s wife was a bit less diplomatic with her words and emotions, and it bothered her no end that he refused to exercise, join her in activities with friends, attend church, and eat out at local restaurants. No doubt, Charlene shared some pretty “in your face” words with her husband when no one was looking.

Ultimately, Charlie experienced a major stroke, was admitted to the hospital, was enrolled in a rehab facility, experienced a second stroke,

… and died.

Sadly, just three months after her husband’s death, Charlene experienced (there’s that word again) a major fall and broke her hip. She was, subsequently, enrolled in a rehabilitation facility.

He middle-aged children encouraged their mother to cooperate with the physical therapists, and offered to walk her whenever they visited the facility; which she initially did; (with the accent on “initially.”)

Early on, Charlene’s health and mobility improved, and she regained her ability to walk with a cane. But with time her physical and emotional wherewithal declined, and she found herself progressively dependent on a walker, (when she “felt like” walking) and, ultimately, she “took to her bed.”

Rather paradoxical that the lady who was so frustrated with her husband’s lack of ambition and willingness to exercise eventually emulated him.

Need I mention that their aging children were disappointed, not with their parents, but with their parents’ behavior pattern; (or lack thereof)?

In this particular regard, this writer is determined 

… not to follow in the footsteps of my father and mother.


By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 34. Copyright pending

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