A special thought must be given to the lady of the house. It rarely dawns on people that she does not really retire. There is a story of a salesman who had a line for retired people. He knocked on a door and asked if a retired couple lived there. "No" replied the wife with a twinkle in her eye, "but a retired man does, and I'm his wife!"
So we must be ready to share some of the chores. My wife suggested that I should learn to cook, but I thought what it would do to domestic relations if I turned out to be a super chef! I didn't think I should risk it, but if any of my readers think that I should then please don't write or phone.
There was a husband apparently who declined to do the hoovering because his nature abhorred a vacuum! But if of course your wife thinks that you are of more help outside the theatre of operations, then good for you, you can hop off to the library or watch the cricket. It's nice to be flexible.
There is however, a serious side to the marriage relationship in retirement. The children will have gone long before, and while the husband was working, a lot of interests were outside the home; but now, in the very nature of things interests will become more and more home-orientated, and this can bring subtle pressure on the marriage.
There can come a growing apart, even though they are together more. Interests and conversations can become minimal, and if the situation is not remedied, the prospects can be dismal.
Retirement years should find the relationship enriched, not soured. I quote a verse from one of my poems called 'The Passing of the Years':‑
The older ones review the years, their fledglings having gone. A time to think, to talk, to share, perchance to dream of former days.. or sit in cynical silence. The sadness of the passing of the years!