“Just So You Know, We’re Using Your House for Christmas,” My Daughter-in-Law Texted — She Never Asked

holiday, Daniel,” I said. “Chaos and all.”

“I’ll call you later,” he said. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”

“Merry Christmas,” I replied, and when we hung up, the silence in my hotel room felt deep and gentle, not empty.

I spent the rest of Christmas Day wandering through Lisbon. I rode the tram up to the neighborhood of Graça and looked out over the city from continue reading …