[Magdalen] Mom's 80th birthday

[Scott Knitter]

My dear partner and I are going to Michigan this weekend for my mom's
80th birthday. I've been working with my brothers to plan a restaurant
dinner on late Saturday afternoon for about 20 of Mom's family and
friends. Everything's all set and there's little that could go wrong,
but as to where my dear partner and I will stay for the two nights, I
feel stuck in the middle. Mom clearly wants us to stay with her; she
says we're welcome there (of course) and don't spend money on a hotel.
Dear partner insists we need to get a hotel room so we have a place to
go away to once socializing is done for the day. I agree but Mom is
sending emails telling us how the couch is also available and comfy if
we need to sleep separately.

I don't want this or anything else to be an issue at all, and I want
Mom to have a fine birthday and us all to get to the other side of it
happily.

My therapist says to remember that my feelings matter and that I can
make choices. My feeling right now is it's Mom's birthday and it
sounds like she'd be happiest if we stay with her, but I want to take
care of my partner's feelings as well as Mom's and don't want anyone
disappointed or resentful in the least.

Crap! I hate this feeling. Could use prayers that we do the right
thing, whatever it is.

-- 
Scott R. Knitter
Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois USA