Prior to my family estrangement, Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. It was gratifying to sit at a beautiful dinner table, candles lit, delicious food passed among family and friends. Following the meal, we took turns expressing what we were grateful for. Inevitably, each person said …

There was an excellent article in the New York Times recently about recognizing the difference between selflessness and generosity. If you’re a parent or a grandparent, there’s a good chance you’ve read the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. It’s a story about a …