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.

“Do you think we’re failures?”

“Because you’re choosing a house you can afford?

No.

I think that might be one of the smartest things you’ve done.”

The move was not easy.

There were boxes everywhere, and Sophie was upset about leaving the big oak tree.

I offered to take the children for an afternoon while their parents handled movers, and this time I made clear that it was a specific favor, not the beginning of another unpaid schedule.

Colin thanked me and confirmed the pickup and return times without asking for more.