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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

(81 Posts)
beautybumble Sun 16-Jun-24 23:21:39

Hi. Today is my birthday and I've been completely alone all day. I don't usually expect much these days now I'm in my mid 70s, but today I didn't receive a card, a present or even a phone call until after 9pm when my son called. Like most grans I help out a lot. I don't ask them for anything but always there for them anytime. Its only a birthday I know, but it did hit me how so unimportant I am. I search for the best gifts I can find when its their day. I feel so alone. There thats the rant over, I feel better now.

keepcalmandcavachon Mon 17-Jun-24 08:36:42

Belated Happy Birthday Wishes from me too beautybumble, hope you are thinking of some ways to treat yourself soon and hopefully keep on treating yourself flowers

Horatia Mon 17-Jun-24 08:39:57

Happy Birthday. Hope you have a great year ahead.

Patsy70 Mon 17-Jun-24 09:37:16

Belated birthday wishes beautybumble 💐🥂. I really don’t think there is any excuse for not remembering your parents’ birthday, however busy their lives might be. I hope the sun is shining for you and you enjoy today.

Squiffy Mon 17-Jun-24 10:19:11

🎉 Happy Birthday 🎉 beautybumble. I hope the many posts on GN will have brightened your day. 💐

flappergirl Mon 17-Jun-24 10:28:42

Another belated happy birthday beautybumble. There is absolutely no excuse (barring emergencies) for your son's behaviour. Whilst it's true that younger people cannot possibly relate to being old and alone, they know perfectly well what a birthday is, especially when it's their own. I'll bet they don't forget those.

It's the one day of the year when you can show you are thinking of someone and, in your case, acknowledge all the help your son and DIL receive from you.

I feel angry on your behalf and personally if it was me I'd jolly well show it. They deserve to feel guilty.

sharon103 Mon 17-Jun-24 14:41:04

Wishing you a happy birthday halfpint1 flowers and belated happy birthday beautybumble. flowers

I agree with M0nica's post.
To me, there's no excuse. Being busy or likewise.

halfpint1 Mon 17-Jun-24 14:47:18

Thankyou, and the massage was excellent.

shoppinggirl Mon 17-Jun-24 14:48:18

Happy belated birthday flowers. I hope you have a good week! flowers

crazyH Mon 17-Jun-24 15:01:11

Belated birthday wishes beautybumble and a Happy Birthday halfpint - Tbh, my family knows not to forget my birthday. I get really upset and angry. Growing up, my mum always made a fuss on my birthday. New dress, tea party etc. so that’s why I think, it’s so important to me. My daughter keeps asking, when’s your bday mum? It really bugs me. She is so forgetful. I sometimes wonder who is the ‘old lady’ here !😂

V3ra Mon 17-Jun-24 15:45:04

My daughter keeps asking, when’s your bday mum? It really bugs me. She is so forgetful.

Crazy H I enter important events on my phone calendar.
It gives me the option to "invite other people" ie send it to them via email to accept and add to their own phone calendar.
Might be worth a try? 🤞

crazyH Mon 17-Jun-24 15:52:06

V3ra good idea -thanks 👍

langelei Wed 19-Jun-24 11:19:51

Many belated birthday wishes beautybumble - know how you feel. No excuse and you should not have to remind anyone. However make this your birthday “week” and go out treat and enjoy yourself. [wine flowers cupcake]

Dempie55 Wed 19-Jun-24 11:32:17

Belated birthday wishes! It’s mine next week, and I fear I will be in the same boat. Youngies are so busy with work and small children, I know I’m bottom of their list. Looking back, I think I was just the same in my 30s, I honestly had no idea how lonely my widowed mother must have been. Now it’s me that’s living alone, I am learning that if I want to be made a fuss of, I have to do it myself! I have order flowers, and some new makeup, so I know I’m getting something!!

knspol Wed 19-Jun-24 11:48:55

Happy Birthday to you!!! It means so very much to be remembered on these special occasions and it is sad that you haven't received any cards or messages. On the plus side your son did phone so he did remember which is great.
You are not unimportant, maybe your son was busy working /travelling and he rang at the first opportunity. In any event we have to realise that we're not the most important person in our children's lives anymore and that's how it should be and really how we'd want it to be for them. Our circle of friends decreases as we get older and I think it's just another thing to get on with. Maybe next year you should plan a day of treats for yourself and try to forget about everybody else. Wishing you all the very best.

Eirlys Wed 19-Jun-24 12:02:40

beautybumble, you are YOUNG! As others here have said, make time for yourself. Don't always be available is my advice also. And belated BIRTHDAY WISHES to you.

Bellzy Wed 19-Jun-24 12:27:58

Please tell your son, and any others who’s inaction hurt you! If you don’t tell him, he won’t know and such a big part of growing up is understanding how much distress your actions (and lack of action) cause people you care about.

‘I’m not making a fuss, but just so you know, the fact that you didn’t even acknowledge my birthday until gone 9 was really hurtful. I feel I do a fair amount for you and now I just feel that you totally forgot until the evening. Imagine if all you got from me was a mid-evening phone call? Anyway, now you know…. And you have a whole year to remember my next one!! ‘

That should do it!

Romola Wed 19-Jun-24 12:49:59

beautybumble, I am so sorry your birthday was a lonely one.
Do please read what M0nica has written. She gives tough but helpful advice, I think. Be proactive!
Don't let yourself have another birthday like this one. Tears in my eyes for you, well done telling us grans.

Esmay Wed 19-Jun-24 13:01:05

HAPPY BIRTHDAY .
I'm so sorry that you are forgotten by today's mind numbingly selfish younger generation .
I wonder how their children will treat them when they are older .
I'll say a special prayer for you .
God Bless and take care . 💐 .

SpringsEternal Wed 19-Jun-24 13:25:14

Happy Belated Birthday, BeautyBumble. I hope you feel cheered by the messages - especially Monica's. (Are you a counsellor, Monica? You always say the right/wise thing.) Good luck with your new resolution - head up, walk tall, value yourself! flowers wine flowers

LovesBach Wed 19-Jun-24 13:36:30

Belated, as I have just seen your post, but 'Happy Birthday' for Sunday, beautybumble, and I hope you have mentioned that you were hurt - your family may think twice about it. xx

Celieanne86 Wed 19-Jun-24 14:06:13

I’m sorry I missed your actual birthday BeautyBumble but I hope that with all the good wishes and kind words from fellow gransnet it wasn’t so bad after all and I join them with sending belated birthday greetings.
As for our families and friends seemingly forgetting our special days perhaps we make ourselves so independant they think we aren’t bothered about such trivialities as cards and presents also Facebook greetings have taken over now.
My husband died at Christmas just six months ago and I have not seen my eldest son since the funeral and have only spoken to him three times on the phone the calls made by me.
When I reminded him by messenger his reply was he had no idea and ‘Well You’re alright though aren’t you Mum’
It was his birthday early in May and I sent a card and a cheese hamper and I’m still waiting to hear if he received it.
Busy lives, busy people, all the help we gave, all the support just taken for granted and forgotten.
No point being bitter or angry so I smile and carry on and enjoy gransnet 🥹

hamster58 Wed 19-Jun-24 14:38:23

Ditto to MOnica’s post. Happy Birthday, and please don’t think you’re not important. It’s young people who seem much more self absorbed and selfish these days. Whoever we are, however busy we are and whatever age we are shouldn’t mean we shouldn’t take time to remember other people

Diplomat Wed 19-Jun-24 14:38:59

Happy birthday Beautybumble, sorry for late response but only received this Gransnet today, which is my birthday! I shall raise a glass to us both. Enjoy the sunshine (when it comes!) and all the positive things in life. Take care.

Tuskanini Wed 19-Jun-24 14:43:43

Are you on Facebook? It reminds everyone of their friends' birthdays. Luckily my father, my brother and I all are. We recently both overlooked my father's 98th until reminded on the day!

Shelflife Wed 19-Jun-24 14:49:34

I recognize our AC are busy, however if any of my three AC didn't contact me till 9pm on the day I would be bit miffed,!! I was always busy working and raising our children but I would never never forget my parents birthdays - especially my mums. I think your son was being a little thoughtless. It is so easy for them to take us for granted, they often forget we have feelings and we are not just
' good old Mum!' Hope you had a wonderful day 🎂