I don't know where she got the idea that the family is going someplace for 4th of July but that's what she told her home companion.

All my sister-in-law wanted to do is catch up on her sleep because she didn't get much the last two weeks. She and my mother-in-law vacationed in San Francisco and dropped by Las Vegas. Guess who had to watch out for who. Last Saturday, they partied locally. Then again, the family was invited to another friend's home for dinner on Sunday.

Retiree that she is, I understand her need to socialize. But I can also see that she was a social butterfly all this time. Only, she didn't have the time and the resources back then. We simultaneously received invitations one New Year's Eve. She wanted to attend both, even if they're on the outstretches of each other.

My husband couldn't care really less. Caring for an elder is tough but statistically, we're not few and many of you can relate. I'm willing to meet her halfway and I think, so does everybody else. But she's spoiled, the kind who takes your whole arm even if you're only offering your hand.

From her, I can see that I need to be more than assertive. I have to be a go-getter. I have to seize every opportunity. I have to think that things will turn out the way I want them to. I have long argued that the story of Creation started from 'just a thought' anyway.

At the end of the day, even if we don't receive a last minute invitation, we'll at least go to the mall, where she'll end up sitting on the benches because of a bad hip. She's happy to dress up, and make up, and sit in the car, and afterwards asks "what time do we go home?" Isn't that the power of positive thinking at work or what?

P.S. My husband and I did receive invites, one to a private home in nice and cold outeast, and another in a state park nearby, where fireworks will be on display tonight. She has not gotten acquainted yet with our would-be hosts. For now, we don't want to give her any ideas. Not that we're being selfish but we're on the uphill of our lives. Parties become obligations when one is tired.