Mrs. Muzz (and others)--One of the freedoms for me this Christmas is feeling less fettered by the expectations of others. I love the image of you turning loose of that flour bin and noticing that the world spins anyway. And Christmas gifts, after all, are called gifts, not "Christmas obligations." What if the mall ads read "Find the perfect obligatory gesture for everyone on your obligation list!"

My wish is to gift my daughter and my clients and my friends with an image of midlife and elder womanhood as something to be cherished and enjoyed--and a prayer that they will carry that image with them into their own old age. The world desperately needs women who are self-confident and self-loving, who can offer their wisdom and services out of a state of abundance and generosity. We can't exemplify that if we're exhausted and overtaxed.