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 invited Colin, Jessica, and the children for lunch, making it clear that nobody needed to bring presents and nobody was required to stay longer than they wished.

Colin accepted.

Jessica said she’d think about it.

On Christmas morning, Sophie arrived carrying a drawing of my house with all of us standing outside.

Lucas brought a board game.

Colin carried a pie from a bakery, which made me smile because baking had never been his talent.

Jessica came last.

She had a small paper bag in her hand.