Birthdays

Happy birthday!

Yes, and it probably happens to everyone at some time or other.

There are all sorts of reasons - and excuses - for it.

Frankly, I have to remind myself that everyone's life goes on and that I'm not the center of the universe.

Earlier this year I completely forgot that it was my sister's birthday. I didn't contact her until late at night. It happens.

Some people just don't remember birthdays. My husband is one of them.

ETA: Oh....hey....I forgot...Happy Birthday.

First of all, Happy Birthday!

Well, my experience goes back to since I was little, of having nothing much going on on my birthdays and then 2 months later, watch my mom go all out for my sister's birthdays. We are talking big fancy cakes, lavish decorations for the house (many custom made), invitations to friends and family, professional makeover artist coming to the house to do their hair and make up to show off their new dresses. My cousins still talked about the parties with awe. I guess that I didn't have the withdraw that you are experiencing since it was the usual for me. But over the course of life, I've learned that only I can make me happy so I celebrate my own birthday, and bake my own cakes because no one noticed and I was too young to drive. I still don't hear from my mother on my birthdays although she chewed me out big time when I forgot to call her on her birthday. Her excuse for everything was "Your sister like that girly stuff and you don't" and "I didn't want kids anyway"...both true.

I could whine on and on, I do that pretty well.

I've also learned that my cousins from my dad's side wanted very much to keep in touch, but were afraid to approach me because my dad and I had a very bad fallout years ago and, well, he is dead to me. For those cousins, I have to do the approaching and the maintaining, and hope that someday they will feel comfortable enough to call me for no reason.

That's my sob story (I can hear a tiny violin playing). I say be the one to call them if you are not too weirded out by it, but if you are feeling awkward about calling people that are family, then maybe it's time to replace them with friends, or pets. I live by the following saying:

"Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what."

Can you accept them for being them?

Happy birthday!

I forget birthdays. So does my sister. We have to just laugh about it because sometimes our kids get late gifts from their aunts. I'm sure your family is busy.

Don't be a victim. Call people on your birthday and say, "hey, it's my birthday! And I wanted to catch up with you!" They'll respond. Don't wallow in self pity. Enjoy the greetings you had and move on. To others, it's just another day.

You're posting this on the 22nd. Today is still the 22nd. For another 11 hours, it will be the 22nd.

Patience.

ETA: How is the day almost done?!? I'm on eastern time and it's still early afternoon. It's lunch time in TX. You sound overly desperate and sensitive. And yes, it has happened to me. My siblings and I are all very busy and it happens to each of us every year, always followed up with a quick phone call the next day. Not a big deal.

Congratulations on 55! Have a great year!

I'm so sorry. I know how that feels. My dad and cousin have forgotten my birthday before. Birthdays are very important in our family. Not hearing from them really hurt. I hope you have heard from your family. Even if you haven't, I hope you had a very nice day. Happy Birthday!

I frequently do not remember birthdays. Same for other family members
We do not take it personally. I urge you to consider that they may have not contacted you for reasons unrelated to you. I urge you to call them to have a birthday chat.

I vaguely remember a previous post about some sort of family difficultu. If you're thinking this is why they haven't called that is even more reason for you to call them. Share the responsibility for maintaining communucation

That really sucks! Hopefully, you'll hear from them throughout the day.

Happy Birthday!

I'm so sorry. Happy Birthday!

You know as we get older people get busy with their own family activities.
Try not to let it get to you too much.

Know that people get busy.
Lives take over!!!
We forget things.
It's harder as we age & have kids, families of our own.

As families (large or small) get older people spread out, have things of their own going on, get busy and forget.

Then go do something fun for yourself. Treat yourself to something. A book, magazine, takeout from your favorite restaurant etc. Buy yourself a bouquet of inexpensive flowers at the grocery store, get yourself a little treat at the bakery department. It's never too late to "treat yourself". Count your lucky stars by writing down 5 great things in your life you are thankful for! Rent a movie & have fun!!!

I'm so sorry and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Please just give them time. Hopefully they will all call today at some point.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last year my kids asked me to change my plans for Christmas so I did. we all went to my daughter's for dinner and to exchange presents --- except for me. I gave out presents but received none. I know budgets are tight but I would have been happy with something simple and inexpensive. but got nothing. So I know how you feel.

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y ! ! !

People move on, including those cute little nieces and nephews. These relationships really don't last forever, like we thought the would.

My dad moved on with his life and all of my cousins loved my mom to no end. He passed many years ago and I still hear my cousins say, "Aunt X was the best, she will always be my aunt". I even met up with my distant cousin who didn't know or remember that my dad remarried. We were talking about his passing and I brought up his new wife and he was angry/hurt. He couldn't believe it.

My immediate cousins would stop by the restaurant my mom worked at if they were in the casino, but none of them ever paid her another visit or called her. Maybe one cousin called her after making contact with me. I know they still loved her, but they moved on with their life...unfortunately.

It hurts, but I am quite sure they have very fond memories of you and you will always be a part of their lives.

I do not say happy birthday to any of my aunts or uncles or cousins. I'm just not very close with them. They do not say it to me either. I'll send a card and call my parents, brother and sister and that's about it. I'll give my MIL a call, but really, that's all I do. Honestly I think cards are a waste of money. You read them and then they go right into the trash. I'd rather get a phone call or e mail. I wouldn't worry about it. To some people, birthdays are a big deal and to other's it's just another day.

Happy Birthday!!
At times like these, you should just go out and treat yourself to something extravagant!
I'll never forget the first Christmas after my husband I were married. My MIL had been to Mexico, and brought back the most beautiful gifts for everyone in the family to hand out at Christmas. That is- everyone but me. She wanted each of us to open our present, one at a time, so she could see our delight. She still didn't even realize her blunder until it came turn to open my gift and I had nothing. She ran into the bedroom, cam back in, and just handed me a man's silver chain with a huge eagle pendant (that obviously she had bought for my FIL). Oh, my husband was FURIOUS. I just laughed. And I still have that ugly silver necklace (I couldn't even give it away- I tried). LOL
So, would you be interested in a man's silver eagle necklace for your birthday?? :)

I've had it happen. My in-laws rarely, if ever, remember to call or text or even FB me for birthdays. My side of the family usually remembers but not always. Hell, my own husband doesn't always remember.

I forgot my own birthday a couple times. What does THAT say? I'm not even the center of my own universe!

i usually forget family birthdays, and don't expect 'em to remember mine. the dh is good about it, and that's all that matters.
i do send christmas cards most years though!
khairete
S.