To think my brother could've sent his nephew an 18th birthday card?

[IsThisForReal]

DS was 18 this week.

DH's siblings and parents send cards/presents etc and spoke on phone.

My parents are dead , as are my uncles and aunts.

I basically have one relative - my brother - who lives 300 miles away.
We're in touch, mostly by email. I always send him Christmas and birthday cards and have lent him money, which he's never paid back .

In an email last week I mentioned it was DS's 18th 'in case he wanted to send a card/message' but DS's birthday came and went and he didn't get anything from his uncle - not even a phone call/ text message etc.

AIBU to feel this is really shit and feel let down/sorry for DS?

YANBU. Its shitty of him and I would tell him how disappointed you were on your DSs behalf. Depending on his response I'd cut my losses. Relationships have to be give and take to work.

I don't think DS even noticed to be honest, but I feel very sad about it. I have no other close blood relatives and at this time of year I always feel rather sad about that, so this has made me feel even more crap than usual

Oh no, I'm so sorry this is so shitty. He could have at least called him up and sent a card. Hope DS had a brill birthday aside from this. I think it's safe to say you don't need to be lending brother any money again. His loss.

He sounds like my DB.
It really bothers me but what can I do.
I have no other family on my side.
He thinks wishing them happy birthday on my fb page means he’s done his bit.

My dc saw rellies 4 days before birthday at a family get together. Imminent Birthday came up in conversation. Linked to five of them via fb. Not one of those five sent a message or card. Families can be crap.

It's not much to ask is it OP.
These people have issues, self absorbed or dealing with their own problems, either way it's sad.

Hope your DS had a brilliant 18th.

Family members can be shitty, only getting in touch when it suits them or when they have something to gain. I wouldn't go to any trouble for him either if I was you, it's not fair on yourself to feel the same disappointment every year. He won't change.