My daughter convinced me to go on vacation to the seaside: “All inclusive, Mom, you won’t have to do a thing.” I paid for the tickets myself. Upon arrival, I discovered I’d be staying with my grandchildren, while she and my son-in-law would be in a different building.

 

He nodded.

 

In September, Anna called me and said she and David had signed up for couples therapy.

It still wasn’t easy, but at least they were talking to each other.

 

Sometimes they argued, other times they couldn’t understand each other, but now they tried to solve their problems together.

 

I was happy for them.

 

I wanted my daughter to succeed, but I no longer felt it was my responsibility to keep her family together at all costs.

 

I thanked him.

 

Not because I wanted to punish my daughter or make her feel guilty.

 

But because for the first time I understood that love does not force me to silently accept everything that is offered to me, even if it comes from the people I love most in the world.

 

It’s true that I still wake up early. The habit I acquired while working night shifts hasn’t disappeared.