I'm almost 62. Have worked since I left college at 17. Never been out of a job. I have gradually cut down my hours and now work 21 hours a week. My partner is retired but we don't live together. I've worked in the NHS for over 30 years. I believe I'm at the stage where I would like to retire, but can't because I didn't pay my works pension until the last few years. (big mistake!) I have a brother who hasn't worked for about 20 years. He has an alcohol problem and looks pretty awful at times. His ex wife, who is close to my mum, has had anxiety problems for over 20 years and doesn't go out of the house. My mum relies on me as the "worker" of the family. Any time I am off sick, which is rarely, she can't wait to say "will you be back tomorrow?" If I tell her I'd love to retire, she'll say "you would only get bored." My mum really only has me to depend on as my brother can't offer much help and my sil none, although my mum will always say "S would be here at the drop of a hat if I needed her." I end up running around like a headless chicken when mum goes into hospital. I try to make her life as smooth as possible. I said the other day "It's horrible going out to work in the morning when it's pitch black." "Oh well, she said. Think of all those others who have to do so." I can't make a comment about work without being told "oh well, you only work 21 hours." It probably sounds very trivial, but it doesn't half get me down sometimes. She has every sympathy with my brother. She gives him money for food, which he uses for gambling and alcohol. I could do with a bit of extra money sometimes, not from her, but I am forgotten about! Sorry for the rant. If it's up to mum I'll be working until I drop, probably so that she can say "my daughter is working." My partner gets annoyed, but I can't stand up to my mum and I'm very respectful, but it's depressing some time.
