I will never marry again

Dear Pastor,

I am 61 years old and I have been reading your column for a long time. I still enjoy reading what you write. I am not doing as well as I used to, but I am able to get around, and my children do their best to take care of me.

I have two daughters who are married and they are not living far from me. My church brethren come by to see me often. Whenever I cannot attend church, I follow online. I am a Baptist, like you.

I was married for many years, but cancer took away my wife. I have a lady friend who comes by to keep my company, but she wants to get very close. My children know that she is trying to get some of the little money that I have saved during my working days. We play cards together. She has her own car, so she takes me out sometimes. She cooks for me, and my children make sure that I have everything that I need in the refrigerator. I live in my own house and I am always thanking my children for taking care of me.

This lady is older than I am, but she calls herself my caregiver. One of my daughters controls my pension. She writes the cheques and pays all my bills. She also makes sure that I have enough money to go out whenever I want to. I will never marry again. My days for that are over. People may see this woman and I together and feel that we have something going, but we are just good friends. When her husband was alive, he and I were good friends; and now that he passed on, we remain friends. She is a very decent woman. She told me that she would marry me if I would just say the word, but I will not propose to her, because I am not interested.

What would a sick man like myself do with a wife? Sometime this woman is in my bed. I have a television in my bedroom, and we have even fallen asleep on the bed and I have not even touched her. So, you see, I am a good man.

T.R.

Dear T.R.,

Not many of your friends would believe that you are such a saint. Some would say you have no use. But others may even say that you are a well-behaved gentleman and that you are keeping the 'flesh' under control.

I am glad that you are very comfortable and that your children and your lady friend are taking very good care of you.

I wish you well, sir. Always put God first in your life.

Pastor