After 42 wonderful years of marriage, I lost my husband three years ago. These days, I live alone and stay busy with church, hobbies, and one small joy I carved out just for myself: a monthly book club. It’s a sacred space where I get to be more than just a grandmother I get to…

After 42 wonderful years of marriage, I lost my husband three years ago. These days, I live alone and stay busy with church, hobbies, and one small joy I carved out just for myself: a monthly book club. It’s a sacred space where I get to be more than just a grandmother I get to be me.I absolutely adore my grandchildren and never hesitate to help out when needed. My son Michael and his wife Nancy live just 20 minutes away with their two energetic toddlers, and I’ve always been their go-to babysitter.

But lately, Nancy began showing up unannounced during my book club meetings, dropping off the kids without so much as a heads-up. I reminded her about my schedule, but she’d just laugh it off. “Oh, your little reading thing,” she’d say, completely dismissing it. It didn’t just happen once it became a pattern, and my peaceful book club turned into a scene of toddler chaos. That’s when I decided it was time to draw the line.

The next time she tried it, I waited until she’d driven off, then packed up the kids and took them straight to her yoga class. With a sweet smile, I handed them over and said, “Just for a couple of hours you don’t mind, right?” using her exact words.Then I did it again at her salon appointment… then at brunch with her friends… and finally, at her own book club.

After the third time, she finally lost her temper. “You can’t just dump the kids on me like this!” she shouted. “Oh?” I replied calmly. “You had plans? Important ones? So did I.” That was the moment it clicked for her. Since then, she’s been respectful, always asks ahead of time, and my beloved book club has returned to the quiet, joyful escape it was meant to be.