My daughter-in-law laughed as she gave me a $2 scratch-off for my 73rd birthday. Ten months later, my own son shoved a senior living brochure in front of me and said, “We already picked your room.” They thought I was too old to fight back. They had no idea what I had been hiding.

I had paid no fees on his behalf and promised no money.

“This is what I can offer,” I said.

“Information, if you want it.

The decisions are yours.”

He turned the envelope over without opening it.

“It’s like you don’t trust me anymore.”

I looked at him for a long moment.

“I trust that you love your children.