Without a manual

My mother is 88 today. She is in good shape for her age and people instantly take 10 years off when they meet her. At this age their filter is almost all gone and they will speak too loudly and complain about food in restaurants that they can cook far better at home. There is nothing to be done about it now.

Our parents are our foils, our confidants and occasionally suppliers of dubious wisdom. But they love us while doing best despite being bereft of a manual.

She raised a transgender child without even knowing it as I only told her from my hospital bed in my mid 40's. Since then she's done the best she can for someone from her era which is all you could possibly ask for.