Posted on 06/18/2006 3:59:27 PM PDT by Past Your Eyes
The biggest fiction behind James Bond is that the fantasy master spy and world-class heartbreaker lived past 40-something. Its not just the death traps and vodka martinis, or even the three packs of cigarettes a day, that would have shortened his life. His naked ring finger would have too. Because real men need wives.
Consider the data: Married menregardless of age, sex, race, income or educationconsistently have been found to be healthier than men who are single, divorced or widowed. This so-called marriage benefit begins to kick in right after the wedding, then builds. Husbands ages 18 to 44 are strikingly healthier than bachelors of the same age. At every age, in fact, marriage not only protects mens health but also prolongs their lives. So, whats behind this marriage benefit?
(Excerpt) Read more at parade.com ...
>I think of women like I do my favorite Mexican food place: Quatro Milpas, when its good, its insanely good and you think you can eat it forever. But, at some point, it turns on you, and you have to take a break or live in a rare kind of pain until it, uh, passes.<
And, you are doing some woman a favor by sticking with beer.
>If I knew of a place to meet worthwhile single women, I'd be more likely to try to make changes to pursue a relationship again, but I've not met anyone who seemed even remotely appropriate in years.<
You are doing the right thing.
During my marriage with my fist wife, I would make it a point to hug my wife and give her sweet kisses on the cheek in front of the kids. I wanted them to know how to treat their future mates. I seldom see people mention certain role models that I think are important for kids to see.
Sound like some great plans. Hope they worked out for you this evening.
All the best. D1
>The interesting part is that there is no effect the other way, no health advantage--married women aren't healthier than single women.
No, but most of them are fatter .<
Well, looks are more important than any other factor.
>"The interesting part is that there is no effect the other way, no health advantage--married women aren't healthier than single women."
Actually, I suspect that there "is" such an effect,<
No. There isn't. Widows go on forever, widowers croak when their 'caretakers' aren't there to be their mommies any more.
And that IS the bottom line. Mrs. Warthog and I just passed thirty-six years. It took her thirty-five of them to get me into the Catholic Church :^).
Malarkey. In a good marriage, you are EACH OTHER's caretakers.
>"There isn't. Widows go on forever, widowers croak when their 'caretakers' aren't there to be their mommies any more."
Malarkey. In a good marriage, you are EACH OTHER's caretakers.<
Of which there are precious few. The 'caretaker' who acts as a mommy for an otherwise sane, healthy adult [the world outside has no idea he hasn't bought his own underwear in 30 years] is a commonplace. I don't any men who take care of healthy wives in this fashion. This is simply a societal norm.
I'm 43, single and get to the gym 4 to 5 times at week at 4:30AM. I also cook for myself. I guarantee I'm in far better shape than the majority of couples in my age range, who tend to eat out frequently and not exercise on any kind of regular basis. In fact, I've been berated by dates for wanting to cook healthy meals at home rather than eating overpriced, unhealthy restaurant food all the time.
"Marriage is a contest between two people to see who can drive the other one crazy first."
My wife's winning big time.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
Just trying to be funny. Just so you know I recognize faint praise when I run across it. Sorry. I don't move before 10:30am and usually work lunch into an appointment - if it isn't fixed by 6pm it can't be fixed. ;-)
Dont I know it!
The elderly couples with sound marriages that I know are flesh-of-flesh, spirit-of-spirit. She prepares meals, washes clothes, and tends to the flower garden. He fixes the plumbing, repairs the leaky roof, and chases the racoons out of the attic. They love each other deeply and would do anything for one another. When one dies, the other's heart is broken beyond repair.
I believe women tend to live longer in part because men tend to wear their bodies out sooner. Women experience childbirth, it is true--a physical stress men do not know. But men have greater physical mass, tend to move harder, and under more strenuous conditions, in more dangerous occupations over the long haul. They just wear out quicker.
I have seen men die within one month of their wives' passing; I have seen women die shortly after the funerals of their beloved husbands.
I know of one case in which the husband and wife, both in their 80s, died within six hours of each other.
>I know of one case in which the husband and wife, both in their 80s, died within six hours of each other.<
I have read of these cases, too.
But they aren't the norm--visit a retirement home to see the evidence.
I have known two couples who seemed to be devoted to one another over periods of decades.
My illusions vanished when I spent an afternoon with the wife in Couple 1 (married 30+ years), and she told me a great deal more than I ever wanted to know about her ongoing affair. I wish she had never said anything.
Couple 2 were married nearly 50 years, and they seemed to be happy, content, had good, decent adult children, etc. She died suddenly of unexpected post-surgical complications after a relatively simple procedure. He replaced her inside of 6 months.
that is one heck of a picture, and I hope it went as planned. good writing.
If I was looking for life wisdom, Gail Sheehy would be about the last place I'd look.
And thank you.
L
Nope!
Grandpa was 6 yrs. older than Grandma and lived 7 yrs. after she died.
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