“I Opted Out of Christmas This Year — And My Son Didn’t See What Was Coming”

points, the one that said “Thanks in advance, Deborah, you’re the best!” I folded it neatly and slipped it inside a plain white card. On the card, in my clearest handwriting, I wrote: “This home will be unoccupied from December 23rd to January 2nd. Wishing you joy wherever you gather.”

No apologies. No long explanations. No guilt-laden justifications.continue reading …