78

By Tollie

Wrapped in neighbourly anecdotes and tales of true-life troubles, 78 tells the story of the Otters—an elderly retired couple struggling to navigate their way through an uncertain present and an even murkier future. Told with a mix of wit and sensitivity, Kleynhans uses the plight of the Otters to highlight some important lessons which perhaps all readers should bear in mind as their own autumn years approach.

Avoid financial difficulties when you retire. Keep your family—especially your children—close to your heart. Retire with a hobby (even better if you include your spouse). Make sure you retire with the respect of your contacts. Ensure that you have built solid friendships (you are going to need them). Maintain your positivity, keep fit, and stay healthy.

Learn from the Otters!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tollie
• Release date: Dec 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223756682

Book preview

78_-_Cover.jpgText Description automatically generated

TOLLIE

78

Copyright © 2023 Tollie

First edition 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Tollie using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Doug Cairns for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Text Description automatically generated

Tollie

[e-mail]

Origin of this Story

We live on an estate. Most of the residents here are retirees. During a social gathering (hamburger braai) my wife and I became friends with a guy called Otter and his wife called Otterjasie.

The Otters were both 78, frightened of what was going to happen to them in the future, sensitive to discrimination (especially against elderly people), penniless, in poor relationships with their kids, and other people, healthy (if you ignore the grunts).

They felt that life had passed them by without realising it, the kids left home without them realising it, and they were unhappy that they had to scale down their lifestyle, from two BMWs to only one car, a small Volkswagen. They were angry because they never really enjoyed what they had.

They frankly said that they were unhappy with retirement and felt like they were no longer valued. They reckoned that at 78 years of age, people viewed them unfairly as old and fragile, so they became angry and distrusted the world. They were also struggling financially.

However, it is not all doom and gloom. They told everybody why they often felt happy and proud—usually after a phone call from one of the kids. They undergo a personality change if someone asks about their kids. The Otters even carry photos of their children and grandchildren with them.

The kids are all happily married. They were good kids, always listening to their parents’ advice. There was no substance abuse. They were the ideal academics, and they achieved tertiary qualifications with ease. Their kids live a high standard, living in their own houses, going on holidays regularly, and owning more than one car. The kids have good jobs with well-known, stable, and with-it companies. The kids could afford and drive expensive cars. The kids and grandchildren are healthy.

The Otters, who live on a small amount of money because they don’t have an income, are using their savings to pay their bills. But this is only a temporary solution because their savings are running out quickly. However, they can still afford to pay their monthly medical aid premium.

The Otters are healthy (and sneer at the bad health of others) and view themselves as incredibly fortunate.

The following is Otter’s story, as told by him to me. It intrigued me so much that I decided to record it. I had to visit them regularly to get the facts, much to their delight.

I am also retired, 73, and I am doing the story because it gave me something to do, helping to prevent me from developing a poor mentality.

We were sceptical when Otter told us that he had read a book claiming that they could stop, or even reverse, ageing. You just have to survive until 2029 and then it will be possible, he said, hopefully.

We still do not know why 2029 is the year to wait for. We did not ask him, to