Parents are people and people disappoint us. All.the.time.
You have three choices. Let anger and bitterness consume you: you won’t have many friends and will vent your anger in ways that cause big trouble.
Feel sorry for yourself: again you won’t have many quality friends and you’ll likely self-destruct in some form of addiction.
Forgive those who disappoint us: many times we need forgiveness too. Praying for that person is a sure way to prevent anger and self pity. They have scars on their heart too, it’s unpreventable in this world. You may not feel like praying but you’re doing it for you. Really.
Love them anyway. You’ll be better for it.
Admittedly it’s taken me far too many years to learn the Lord’s sweet lesson.
Happy Birthday, Mark. Childhood was full of disappointments. I don’t know if it’s because our expectations are so high. If someone tells us we’re going to do something, it must be true, right? I used to get !!!SO!!! Excited about things, but as time went on I got less and less excited until it was “I’ll just wait and see”. We’ve all been where you are right now in one way or another. My parents weren’t divorced but my dad was a workaholic. I thought he didn’t love me because he missed everything, but I remember everything he did do. Turns out his parents were staunch New Englanders and he didn’t get very much attention. They sent him to boarding school for crying out loud. I told my grandmother once that I couldn’t believe she would send her little boy to boarding school. But looking back my dad loved me the very best that he knew how to. So give your dad some grace. There’s probably a reason he is how he is. And be proud of your mom, she’s doing the very best that she can. Some day you may have a little boy or little girl and you’ll show up. Every-time.
Happy B-Day, Mark. I recall being 14. I got glasses after setting a new Guinness record for nearsightedness. I was in denial. With glasses on my life would end. My classmates would laugh, I would never have a girlfriend, blah blah, boo hoo. But when I got my glasses, a Hallelujah moment happened. Shazam! I could see again. Hang in there, Mark. Your dad does love you, and so do we.
Happy birthday Mark. Childhood is an interesting point on the continuum of life. And as an adult I don't have an inkling of why adults sometimes have to act like children when their children need them to act like adults. I was gifted with two such adults, but I made it through. Just like Sean made it through. And Mark, with friends like Sean and your mom, you can too.
Pone (and Mark,) when you've been around for awhile, you'll come to realize that hardly a day goes by that somebody that you know or even love does something that will disappoint you, probably not intentionally. It's part of what they call THC- The Human Condition. May not make it easier to take, but there it is. This story made me think of a comment on another of your posts a few months back called Paradoxical Commandments:
Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
[Reportedly inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta, and attributed to her. However, an article in the New York Times has since reported (March 8, 2002) that the original version of this poem was written by Kent M. Keith Paradoxical Commandments.]
Your friend,
Pubert (with thanks to whoever posted it the first go around!])
Happy probably belated birthday, Mark! And you picked the correct person to write to. Sean understands you, because unfortunately he has also suffered. I know your Mom was sad at not being able to take you out, because she loves you, and Sean is correct, you dad loves you, too. Sometimes moms and dads disappoint their kids, but they always love them. God loves you, too, and He's always there for you.
Your Father really does love you, even though it might not feel like he does sometimes. Keep your chin up, and treat others the way you want to be treated, and you will go far in life. If I could, I’d give you a big hug, but I can’t, so I’m sending you a big hug through the internet.
Happy Birthday, Mark. If you lived in Auburn, Alabama, my husband and I would celebrate with you. Your 15th birthday will be a great one. You are loved.
Teenage life is always tough. My birthday was in the middle of the year so I didn't get cupcakes at school. None of my buddies would avoid saying "happy birthday" because I lived ten miles in the country and I was usually working on the farm. What you can learn is when you get older and have kids, of your own, always remember their birthday, Christmas, Easter and any other holidays they enjoyed. No matter how bad things get you can always afford a card just to show you care.
Happy Birthday Mark! Lost my dad when I was 12 yrs old. Life was nasty for me after that, but I learned to appreciate my time I did have with my father. I'm certain your dad loves you, don't be too hard on him or yourself! Enjoy being a kiddish age of 14 and treasure your time you do have with your father.
PS if you do get bored look up articles from Lewis Gizzard @the AJC. I bet it'll put a smile on your face! God bless you and again Happy 14th Birthday!🎂🎉🥳
Happy birthday to 14-year old Mark. Oh yes, it sucks to feel forgotten by dad, but I hope and pray that this new year in your life will be a great one, with many joyful events.
Happy Birthday, Mark. Sometimes grownups have problems that interfere with their best intentions. I am sorry your dad didn’t come. Maybe you and your mom can celebrate the next time she is off. I am not sure who said this. “When life gives you lemons; make lemonade.” Sending you a birthday hug.
You always make me laugh, but this was heartbreaking.Still I am glad he had rote to you, and hope he feels better.I remember our weatherman telling the same story- getting all dressed and waiting for his dad to pick him up, I know I was so lucky to have a dad who never disappointed me, until he died at 63.
Parents are people and people disappoint us. All.the.time.
You have three choices. Let anger and bitterness consume you: you won’t have many friends and will vent your anger in ways that cause big trouble.
Feel sorry for yourself: again you won’t have many quality friends and you’ll likely self-destruct in some form of addiction.
Forgive those who disappoint us: many times we need forgiveness too. Praying for that person is a sure way to prevent anger and self pity. They have scars on their heart too, it’s unpreventable in this world. You may not feel like praying but you’re doing it for you. Really.
Love them anyway. You’ll be better for it.
Admittedly it’s taken me far too many years to learn the Lord’s sweet lesson.
Happy Birthday, Mark. Childhood was full of disappointments. I don’t know if it’s because our expectations are so high. If someone tells us we’re going to do something, it must be true, right? I used to get !!!SO!!! Excited about things, but as time went on I got less and less excited until it was “I’ll just wait and see”. We’ve all been where you are right now in one way or another. My parents weren’t divorced but my dad was a workaholic. I thought he didn’t love me because he missed everything, but I remember everything he did do. Turns out his parents were staunch New Englanders and he didn’t get very much attention. They sent him to boarding school for crying out loud. I told my grandmother once that I couldn’t believe she would send her little boy to boarding school. But looking back my dad loved me the very best that he knew how to. So give your dad some grace. There’s probably a reason he is how he is. And be proud of your mom, she’s doing the very best that she can. Some day you may have a little boy or little girl and you’ll show up. Every-time.
Happy B-Day, Mark. I recall being 14. I got glasses after setting a new Guinness record for nearsightedness. I was in denial. With glasses on my life would end. My classmates would laugh, I would never have a girlfriend, blah blah, boo hoo. But when I got my glasses, a Hallelujah moment happened. Shazam! I could see again. Hang in there, Mark. Your dad does love you, and so do we.
I knew you were a Grizzled fan. Some of your writing reminds me of him. You can still listen to him on u tube. I miss him.
Happy birthday Mark. Childhood is an interesting point on the continuum of life. And as an adult I don't have an inkling of why adults sometimes have to act like children when their children need them to act like adults. I was gifted with two such adults, but I made it through. Just like Sean made it through. And Mark, with friends like Sean and your mom, you can too.
Pone (and Mark,) when you've been around for awhile, you'll come to realize that hardly a day goes by that somebody that you know or even love does something that will disappoint you, probably not intentionally. It's part of what they call THC- The Human Condition. May not make it easier to take, but there it is. This story made me think of a comment on another of your posts a few months back called Paradoxical Commandments:
Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
[Reportedly inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta, and attributed to her. However, an article in the New York Times has since reported (March 8, 2002) that the original version of this poem was written by Kent M. Keith Paradoxical Commandments.]
Your friend,
Pubert (with thanks to whoever posted it the first go around!])
Happy probably belated birthday, Mark! And you picked the correct person to write to. Sean understands you, because unfortunately he has also suffered. I know your Mom was sad at not being able to take you out, because she loves you, and Sean is correct, you dad loves you, too. Sometimes moms and dads disappoint their kids, but they always love them. God loves you, too, and He's always there for you.
Happy 14th Birthday Mark !! 🎉🥳 🍰
Your Father really does love you, even though it might not feel like he does sometimes. Keep your chin up, and treat others the way you want to be treated, and you will go far in life. If I could, I’d give you a big hug, but I can’t, so I’m sending you a big hug through the internet.
Dear Sean!
You absolutely succeeded! You and Lewis Grizzard are the BEST ever!!
Happy Birthday, Mark. If you lived in Auburn, Alabama, my husband and I would celebrate with you. Your 15th birthday will be a great one. You are loved.
Teenage life is always tough. My birthday was in the middle of the year so I didn't get cupcakes at school. None of my buddies would avoid saying "happy birthday" because I lived ten miles in the country and I was usually working on the farm. What you can learn is when you get older and have kids, of your own, always remember their birthday, Christmas, Easter and any other holidays they enjoyed. No matter how bad things get you can always afford a card just to show you care.
Happy Birthday Mark! Lost my dad when I was 12 yrs old. Life was nasty for me after that, but I learned to appreciate my time I did have with my father. I'm certain your dad loves you, don't be too hard on him or yourself! Enjoy being a kiddish age of 14 and treasure your time you do have with your father.
PS if you do get bored look up articles from Lewis Gizzard @the AJC. I bet it'll put a smile on your face! God bless you and again Happy 14th Birthday!🎂🎉🥳
Happy birthday to 14-year old Mark. Oh yes, it sucks to feel forgotten by dad, but I hope and pray that this new year in your life will be a great one, with many joyful events.
I've only recently found these amazing and heart rendering stories and I have yet to complete one without being reduced to tears. Happy birthday Mark
Happy Birthday, Mark. Sometimes grownups have problems that interfere with their best intentions. I am sorry your dad didn’t come. Maybe you and your mom can celebrate the next time she is off. I am not sure who said this. “When life gives you lemons; make lemonade.” Sending you a birthday hug.
You always make me laugh, but this was heartbreaking.Still I am glad he had rote to you, and hope he feels better.I remember our weatherman telling the same story- getting all dressed and waiting for his dad to pick him up, I know I was so lucky to have a dad who never disappointed me, until he died at 63.