It truly is; over time, one learns to ask and answer for ourselves: do they need to hear this and why?

Great article Celeste -- I'm married to someone that sounds very similar to your mom. And OHHH - how defensive and painful it was in our first years of marriage, I was exceptionally defensive. And he would tell me: do you want to hear the truth or have me lie?

I think we have both helped each other learn: yes, we do need to tell others what they need to -- but as I've had to tell him often: when, where and HOW matters too.

Keep up the great writing!!!