Family boundaries and celebrations: Why exclusion from a dinner plan led to a difficult decision regarding a birthday event

phrases to use: “mutual decision,” “amicable separation,” “growing apart.” It was a stage-managed exit for the “unsuitable wife,” timed for maximum public impact for them and minimum social embarrassment for the Caldwells. Eleanor’s birthday wasn’t just a celebration of her life; it was scheduled to be the funeral of mine as a Caldwell.

I pulled out continue reading …