Your idea of a celebration is my idea of a nightmare, we are all different and I think you just need to accept it and be grateful she is coming for the day
Do you think you know when you are going to die?
This year DH and I celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary and reach our 75th birthdays. Not being great party people we decided to hire a big house for a week in a popular holiday area and invite all those who still survive from our small wedding and anyone coming into our life as the result of the wedding, DGC and DDiL' and her family, 14 in all.
Everyone accepted the invite, although not all can stay the full week. The exception is my only surviving sister. She is coming up once to take us out to lunch and also for the celebratory dinner we are hosting - and that's it. She and her DH will not be staying one night.
If I am honest, I am not just feeling grumpy, I am quite upset about it. There is nothing I can do. It is par for the course. We get on perfectly well when we see each other a couple of times a year and DH and I both like her husband, who is very shy, but they both do plenty of things apart so if he is daunted by staying somewhere with 10 people he hasn't met before, which we can understand, she could come alone for a few days.
I am going to go into a corner and have a little cry and then get over it.
Your idea of a celebration is my idea of a nightmare, we are all different and I think you just need to accept it and be grateful she is coming for the day
MOnica.I cannot understand people like yourself for who enough never appears to be enough. Your sister has her reason for not staying overnight it is not for you to question. Make light of it as should you appear to your sister to have a' look what I am offering you attitude' then you could put a shadow over the time she is with you. Would it be so difficult for you to say' perhaps another time then as you are always welcome party or no party'?
Many congratulations on your milestones.
For many of us old 'uns, staying away from home for the night or large social gatherings are hell. Don't be offended.
Enjoy the time with your sister and husband and the rest of the time with the others, just be grateful you have all the other friends and family, some don't have a relative in the world.
Happy Anniversary MOnica to you and your DH XX I'd be grateful that she is at least coming to share your special day with you. It's difficult for people to just break off from their lives for a week where they might have other commitments, Drs, Hospital, Dentists appointments, builders or decorators booked etc. Some people have phobias about staying in places other than their homes or need to be close to their home for medical reasons. As much as I'm sure your friends and family love you, a week is a big ask of anyone (except freeloaders)
just adding, perhaps its another one of your guests that your sister or BIL don't get along with and they don't want to be around them for longer than necessary? I wouldn't take it personal XX
I admire your sister for saying no, I used to go to events that I knew I would not enjoy just to please the person that invited me.
Your sister is at least making an effort and I would think the effort of NOT staying even greater.
My sister stole the inheritance left to me by my mother...
She probably prefers sleeping at home rather than with a gaggle of people she doesn't know. Queuing for the bathroom(s) in the morning and waking up to unfamiliar faces at the breakfast table when you haven't 'got your face on', isn't everyone's idea of a good time.
Why cry? She will be there to treat you to lunch and there for the party.
Frankly, I'd not want to stay overnight either with a bunch of people I didn't know.
To cry about her not sleeping over is too theatrical.
Everyone gets to do what they feel most comfortable with. Just have a lovely time and enjoy your sisters company. She is taking you for lunch too - the celebrations just go on and on! Have a fab time!
I really don’t see what the problem is.
She is attending the celebrations, not ignoring you in any way. Maybe she can’t stay for various reasons.
It sounds as if you are going to have a house full, so just enjoy present company.
Congratulations, we did the same thing last year and two of our AGC couldn't come, its as it is, enjoy yourself we did.
I agree with Greciangirl your sister is taking part in your celebration so what is the problem
Enjoy it all and don't be upset with your sister.
Monica, you are one of my goto posts as you always seem so together and head screwed on right, as well as intelligent and perspicacious. so I was surprised to see you were the original poster, it really must have touched a nerve and I understand why, and your other post this morning saying you had shrugged it off. good for you. It might have helped if she had given a reason as to why they didn't want to stay.
I hope you have a wonderful time and congratulations on achieving 50 years! Focus on those who do want to share it all with you. I only managed less than 11 with two husbands, however have now been with OH for 20 years, not married, if it ain't broke don't mend it is what I say.
Ignore the uncalled for nasty comments from some posters, none of them ring true with how you come across on GN.
Gosh, some people can’t seem to help but cross the line between being frank amd being downright nasty. I’m talking about you Sarahellen and holdingontomyteeth
Sad.
Congratulations on your special anniversary and birthdays. I can understand your disappointment regarding your sister. But you are doing the right thing - have a wee cry and then put it to one side best you can. Don't let it ruin your lovely plans. She is the one losing out most, while you will be having a wonderful time with the rest of your family.
Congratulations on your Golden Wedding Anniversary Monica but to be honest you have a house full of your friends and relatives and I would hate to spend a night with a lot of people I didn't know. I think it's great that your sister is coming to take you out for lunch, so just accept that not everyone likes large house parties. I am sure your sister would have come but she is being considerate of her husband.
My DH reaches 75 this year and it is also our 50th wedding anniversary. We have been to many parties recently but I really don't like them so we have rented an upmarket house at Centre Parks and spending the weekend with our DD and SiL, our DS and DiL and our two wonderful grandchildren. I cannot wait!!
It's about your wedding anniversary! You didnt marry your sister. Be grateful for what you have. You won't like what I say next. I don't care either.
Be grateful you still have your husband and all the family you do have.
My beloved husband, soul mate and best friend past away this March just gone at the age of 60.
I try to count my blessings as people are losing partners/spouses/children and I am not terminally unique. I read posts like this and think stop acting so spoilt and entitled. I am sure you wouldn't want to trade places with me or many others
At least she is coming and is alive too! It isn't all about you
Congratulations from me too on your Golden Wedding and also your big birthdays. Sadly as others have said I'd be the one going home at the end of the night - possibly to come back another day in the week to spend time with the family. I don't 'do' being away from home and sharing houses with people - as we need separate rooms hotels are quite costly too. I've been asked to stay at a friend's place several times but have always made excuses - cats are very handy excuses for having to be home
Glad you're feeling better today MOnica - enjoy your celebrations when they arrive 
Like paddyann, I think you are being unreasonable. Your sister os coming, what more do you want? Surely it’s better for people to decide for themselves what they want to do. Her husband’s shyness may have something to do with it, if he’s uncomfortable in a crowd why do you want to push it? She probably doesn’t want to be there on her own, I know if I go anywhere with my Dh I leave with him. Different strokes for different folks. Just arrange it, go, enjoy it, don’t take offence and most of all be gracious and let people do what they want. To be honest, I hate ‘occasions’. Our 50th was a couple of t-bone steaks and a bottle of wine at home. That suited us.
Wondering what is happening for the rest of the week Monica. Who is doing the chores. Will there be a rota for bathroom/toilet duties. Will there be ground rules. What happens if someone falls out with others. Will there be a facilitator/therapist on call. Just joking.
Please be thankful that so many people are celebrating your Golden Wedding with you. It was our 50th last summer, we booked a lovely pub room for the whole evening & said we 'd pay for everything.
My husband's extended family travelled long distances to be with us, a couple of good friends & our daughters families too.
Not one person came from my side of the family, my sister, her daughter & granddaughter's family were all busy at other parties or feeling unwell at the last minute.
I'll never waste my time inviting them to a family do again!
Enjoy your wonderful week together MOnica! XX
I'd feel shy as I often do and my toileting habits would not fit well with others at the house party. I once could adapt to jolly parting but now I am too old to make the effort. MOnica you need some good communication like if you and your sister were to attend a counselling session together.
mmm Monica, would it be healthier to just say that you thought they were staying and feel some disappointment that they are not.
Its out then .
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