You have my sympathies on both counts.
Most of my family are dead or in other countries, and forgetting my birthday has become something of a hobby for them, but Jesus, if I forget them I hear about it forver!


Death is my job and before that I was a nurse.
People hide from death these days, talking about it is supposed to be morbid, but death's equal is birth.
We no longer care for our dead ourselves, it's all sanitised and dispached to others. Maybe if we did we'd be able to deal with it better.

You cannot be protected from the death of a loved one, it's just not possible. I feel your family made a mistake trying to shield you, just as when my grandfather died I was not told until after the funeral as they thought I wuld be upset, but of course, I was not only sad at his death but also at the denial of the chance to say goodbye.
I am a parent now, and just like mine did I do my best, but it is not always good enough, I know that, and I'm sure your family were just doing the same. Forgive them, but make sure you let them know at some point that you were hurt.


Happy birthday to you from me.
Make a wish.