Perhaps that event is an icon for a process of rejection that had been creeping into your mind more gradually. I recall asking my father about a line from Henley's Invictus, "Deep as the Pit from pole to pole". I wanted to know the referent for 'pit' and whether the author wanted me to read the line as figurative, and, if so, did the pit represent feeling low. In response, my father shouted, "Blasphemy !" For the first time, I consciously realized he was more interested in magic then meaning . But, looking back, I think that event stays in my mind as a point at which I became conscious that my beliefs differed widely from my father and family. It is an icon for a series of less dramatic modifications and rejections.

Very nice story but the ending is incomplete.

What became of Lord Iron?

We will have a family dinner, seeing each other for the first time in months. Our one grand-daughter will thrill us with her enthusiasm. It will be a lovely, cozy day with good food and conversation. No tree;no decorations. Worst thing is that there is no place to go for morning coffee.