087 Chapter 6 Conclusion I’m pleased that I’ve reached 82. Because my mother died at 76. And she was nine years in a nursing home. Also the pressure of bringing up the family is eased and I have my friends, that’s important. Not so good is knowing that you’re getting closer to the time when you’re not going to be here. You can’t buy time. It’s gone. So you’ve got to live for today. I don’t have any regrets. I just feel that you’ve got to make yourself happy every day. You’ve got to tell yourself, I’m happy today. If things aren’t done, well, there’s tomorrow. Surprising was when my partner was confined to the nursing home. I’ve found it a bit more difficult to take over the men’s things in marriage. I’ve always dealt with the finances, I think it’s really important for women to make the decisions of what to buy, what not to buy. But now I have to deal with all the car things, like getting it registered, getting a green slip. And my hubby was handy with his hands, he could go and fix the toaster or tinker with the car, but that’s for me to do now. —Esther, 82