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Are You Being Set Up?

The doorbell rings and Robert looks out the side window to see who’s on the porch. It’s a woman, close to his age, who looks somewhat familiar. She doesn’t appear to be selling anything or taking a survey, so he answers the door.

The lady introduces herself and explains why she’s there. Her name is Norma and she attends a seniors club that Robert has gone to occasionally since his wife died. She explains that they have never met but a friend mentioned that Robert had some china for sale that she might be interested in.

China For Sale?
He recalls telling someone there were a few more items to sell. This is starting to make sense, so he shows her into the dining room and opens the china cabinet. She picks up a dinner plate and comments on the pattern and the remarkable condition of the dinner set. They chat for a minute about the fact that you don’t get good china like this anymore and then she sits down on the sofa.

The conversation changes to other things. Soon they are talking about their families, their hobbies and mutual acquaintances. Norma explains that she has been a widow for five years now and lives about fifteen minutes away in her own apartment. She tries to keep active and walks a mile every day for her health.

Robert is feeling very comfortable with Norma at this point…then something clicks. He had been a police officer for many years and his instinct is telling him that she probably isn’t here just to buy some china. As he thinks about it he realizes that she has never asked the price or how many setting were for sale. Why was she really here?

Ah Ha!
The fact is that Robert was being set up. Not in a bad way or with any intent to harm him, but he was till being set up.

Several ladies at the club had recognized him as a “definite eligible” and thought that he and Norma would be a perfect “match.” They racked their brains as to how to get them together without it being obvious and the “china for sale” plan seemed perfect. If Norma had spent a bit more time actually being interested in the dinnerware and proposing a sale price Robert may never have caught on to the plot.

You were eligible in your twenties and you may be eligible again. The “pool of eligibles” is expanding now that the seniors population is one of the fastest growing segments of society. Aging isn’t what it used to be: 70 it seems, is the new 55. People think of themselves as younger and with good reason. The majority of folks 65+ are healthy, robust and full of life. So why not fall in love again at your age?

You’ve all heard the disaster stories about matchmakers who set up a couple only to have the relationship end quickly with broken hearts and deep feelings of resentment.

Fortunately, this didn’t happen for Robert and Norma!

Surrounded by their loving families and supportive friends, Robert and Norma became Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham. “I never thought I’d fall in love again,” said Robert. “Life is really work living! But I wouldn’t send her out to buy dinnerware. She’s not a very good negotiator…ha, ha.”

“I thank God she had the courage to ring my doorbell and as much as I thought I’d never say it…I’m thankful for those matchmakers!”

Article © Allen Unrau, used with permission

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Allen Unrau writes a weekly column relating to "reallife" seniors issues in Abbotsford BC. He is actively involved as a volunteer with numerous seniors' organizations in the Fraser Valley. He is a grandfather of eight and works as a licensed realtor specializing in seniors Real Estate...helping seniors and their families with the purchase or sale of homes in the Fraser Valley.