SO DISAPPOINTED

          

It’s the day after Thanksgiving and a week since my 80^th birthday. They’ve come and gone and left me feeling thankful for the family and friends with whom I celebrated these events. It’s also left me feeling a bit disappointed by those who chose to not share in either occasion.

          In particular, the youngest son’s response was not only disappointing, but hurtful as well. He called when my birthday celebration was half over to tell me neither he nor any of his family would attend because they were sick. He didn’t want to get me or my guests sick. He was, however, going to go to work as usual. There was no way it was possible, I guess, that he could stop by on his way to work for a very few minutes.

          This son did call me on my actual birthday. He wished me a happy birthday followed by general conversation. I asked if they were going to come for Thanksgiving because I was going to do my shopping the following day. He explained they were going to cook at their house and have his wife’s brother and girlfriend for dinner. He went on to say that the girlfriend would be cooking Christmas and they would go there. Well, okay, since they haven’t attended either Thanksgiving or Christmas in a number of years.

          As we continued to talk, he told me all about his wife’s eldest son’s birthday which was the day before mine. Dinner was prepared for him and gifts given. My response to that was to say how disappointed I was that he couldn’t even be bothered to send me an 80^th birthday card. This was met by silence, followed by the excuse that he doesn’t mail anything so had no stamps. This is the same son who sells on E-Bay on an almost daily basis which necessitates a visit to the USPS. I guess purchasing a single stamp would have been too difficult.

          At that point I was done. I told him to have a great Thanksgiving and hung up. And, I am done. Period. Fini. Done. Done. Done. For the last ten plus years, I’ve “loaned” or given money, purchased a car, always remembered everyone’s birthday and Christmas with gifts or money, been available to babysit or help out however possible. I’ve gone that extra mile and then some. And it’s not that I resent all I’ve done because I don’t. I’m just very sad he couldn’t be bothered to attend my birthday or send a simple Happy Birthday card.

          Still, I had a lot to be thankful for yesterday. And not just thankful yesterday, but each and every single day for all the good in my life. That’s what I’m going to choose to remember and think about going forward.