Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Dear Aunty Pam,

I really need your help. I’m a recent widower and nearly 80 years old. Before my beloved wife died a year ago, we moved into a retirement community as she hadn’t been in good health, and we thought it would make life easier. My wife and I were married 54 years when she died, and even though her death wasn’t a surprise, it has still been very difficult, and I miss her every day.

Soon after she passed, every divorced/widowed woman in the complex started knocking on the door, bringing me casseroles, brownies, you name it. One even pushed past me and announced she was going to do my laundry and iron my shirts. She just took over and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

My adult daughter told me I’m now considered ‘hot property,’ and it’s to be expected. She even thinks it’s kind of cute and says they don’t mean any harm. 

Well, I don’t like it! It feels offensive, like a pack of hyenas coming after me. I don’t want to go out with any of them, especially the worst one, June, who showed up last night with a bottle of wine and two glasses because she said I must be lonely. I’m not! How do I get these broads off my back??

 

Gus

 

Dear Gus,

Growing older alone can be very isolating, and it’s no wonder all these single ladies are rolling up their Talbot’s sleeves and ready to pounce (on each other, if necessary) to lay claim to a new available man.

But you are grieving and have every right to grieve in peace. Unfortunately, you must take the bull by the horns and be firm. If they knock on the door, don’t answer it. Just don’t. If they approach you with food, simply decline it (it’s OK to say, ‘thank you’) and walk away. 

You can’t let them get a toe hold, or they’ll creep into every crack and crevice like Kudzu, and then you’re done for.

And if they don’t get the message, you might just have to move!

 

Cheers!!