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

until he could be free of me.

“Anna, darling, you look lovely,” Eleanor lied, air-kissing near my cheeks, careful not to smudge her own makeup. “We’re just waiting for the cars.”

The drive to the restaurant was short, the air inside the van thick with artificial chatter about the day’s activities—activities I had been excluded from. As we ascended in continue reading …