I Paid For My Parents’ Christmas Trip — They Laughed, Said I “Owed Them More,” And Praised My Sister Instead. I Stayed Quiet… Until They Reached The Airport And Discovered Every Booking Was Gone.

a phrase for it: Christmas spirit. Like my bank account was supposed to glow on command.

Then came the mortgage hiccup, apparently unrelated to the electric jump, the car trouble, or the broken washing machine. I transferred money again. Maria sent me a long message about how proud she was to see me finally stepping into a responsible family role. Right.continue reading …