was being criticized.
They had an honest conversation about the difference between love and the pressure surrounding gift exchanges.
The daughter explained that she was not rejecting her mother’s affection. She simply wanted to reduce the expectations that had grown around Christmas shopping.
That distinction helped her mother see the change differently.
Instead of worrying about buying presents for every adult, she could concentrate on the grandchildren and put more energy into the family meal.
She prepared her usual ham, baked two pies, and made homemade peanut butter balls.
The
