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.

Neither did Colin.

When the children went to the living room, Colin helped with the dishes.

Jessica joined him without being asked.

I stood at the counter, surprised to discover how strange it felt not to be the only adult cleaning up.

Later, as they prepared to leave, Jessica lingered by the door.

“I wasn’t kind about the birthday ticket,” she said abruptly.

“No,” I agreed.