My children used me as a free babysitter when I retired…one day I closed the door on them and left.

“Don’t worry about the weekend trip. My mom has nothing to do—she’ll take care of the kids.”

That weekend, when they came with suitcases, I said nothing. I smiled, took the bags, and wished them a good trip.
They left happy, thinking everything was handled.

But they didn’t know I had already decided.

That same afternoon, I called a trusted neighbor.

Then I booked a trip.