Age has never been an issue for me; I’ve always been proud of my naiveté. I had to show my mettle on a hot summer day at my son’s estate.

Although my son’s estate was a magnificent testament to his labor, my daughter-in-law Karen cast a shade over it.

She became haughty and thought she was king after marrying my son—a transformation that my son subtly encouraged.

I got ready to jump in the water one steamy day by donning my go-to swimsuit. “Old lady, there’s absolutely no way you’re wearing that,” Karen scowled as she noticed me. Keep those wrinkles at bay! There was a sharpness to her words. I vowed not to let her embarrass me, so I buried my tears and pretended to sunbathe.

Because I knew that acting irrationally would backfire, I deliberated my next move. I patiently observed Karen’s habits and routines until the right time came, and that moment was at her book club meeting. “Karen, I hope your charity event goes well,” I casually said while serving drinks.

We made an album of her pictures from before she was married. Karen felt a sudden surge of shame when her companions’ curiosity was aroused. “Mary, this is unbecoming,” she snarled. “We all come from humble beginnings,” I said with a smile.

The atmosphere changed; Karen’s companions perceived her in a new light. When my kid found out about what had happened, he could feel my anguish. Karen lowered her guard, her haughtiness fading. My son made sure that wouldn’t happen again.

Regaining my self-respect, I had a surge of self-assurance. No matter how old we get, our souls will never age.