“ My son only calls me when he needs decorating advice."

Co-worker

Yesterday as I was at work, one of my co-workers mentioned this to me after picking up her cell phone. She’s middle-aged and has two grown sons. The son she mentioned remodels and renovates homes for a living.

She said this fleetingly, almost off-hand, but the look in her eyes when she said it really touched me.

I hope my parents never think the same of me, that she “only calls for advice” or “she only calls when she needs our help.” I hope they know that I care about them and want to talk to them about more than just my own narcissistic problems.