Expecting to be met at Arrivals

[FarFarWay]

(OK, this a while ago - but |I have never cleared it up in my mind; I need other opinions.)

Travelling with an 8 year old, to meet people who I don't really know (even though technically family), and who the child has never met.

Two flights (one upgraded, the other downgraded, by comparison; no spare time in the airport in Japan, just a mad dash to find the plane!), about 22 hours in the air total, plus the travel down to Heathrow/check-in etc. (Also a week before Christmas). Almost the only child on the flight, and even though a "special meal", most of it was not to her liking - not fussy but never eaten sushi etc. So she was a bit hungry and tired when we landed.

The people we were to be staying with lived approx 40 minutes away.
Not only did a carful of people who my eight year old had never met, EVENTUALLY turn up - but we had to sit and wait for them to get there.

Before anyone says "Let it go....". The main player of that group has recently brought up the trip, and what a (not-quite-but almost-) disaster it was - but the then eight-year-old has never seen these (important, arguably) people ever again, and this is now being held against her by the main player.

Despite appearances, I am not a grudge holder but, in my over-thinking way, I have actually tried to figure out the actual science of this flight and how much time was needed for them to be there to greet us. And I am a bit pissed at the "they", as the delay was blamed on the wife element doing her hair, when she really did not need to come as well, as it made the whole thing into a bigger deal, when we - and especially my daughter - would have really appreciated it being casual and low key - let alone there actually be someone - anyone - present, when we came through the Arrival doors to ---- [crickets].

By my (bad) calculations, they didn't even set off until we landed.... but due to the time-travel aspect of hours behind/ahead, am I getting it wrong?

(PS - on the one hand, this light-hearted, but on the other - as I said, she has never seen them again, and so sometimes, it seems like it happened yesterday.)

I didn't say that I do still speak to him.

He has written many 4+-page letters to me, all in the same vein; nasty - blaming me - reminding me of what I have done wrong/how I have failed in general (as far as he knows...) over the years.

I returned unread the last one two years ago -- until the recent communication, which has brought up the dim and distant past, hence the OP.

I also do not really know how and why simply refusing to communication with someone who is (technically) related equates to Freeing Oneself?

Oh wait, I know, I should just get (or have had throughout my life) another Father 🙄
[entire bloody family for that matter]

Right, I'm done.
No, if you must be pedantic to the nth degree, you didn't (technically) say you speak to him but it was obvious that he is allowed to communicate in some manner, because this communication (not verbal, SORRY) about this long-ago trip happened recently. And no, I'm not suggesting you get a new father; I am saying he adds nothing to your life except bringing up all you supposed shortcomings and using them as a stick to metaphorically beat you with and by opening said letters you are letting him do it. Is that better than pretending he doesn't exist? Really?

I was one of those who responded kindly and defended your writing style but you clearly just want to wallow and now you can do it on a thread I have hidden.

I was one of those who responded kindly and defended your writing style but you clearly just want to wallow and now you can do it on a thread I have hidden

I'm going to hide it, too.
I've removed it from Threads I'm On several times, but keep getting notifications.

BUT, I did have an emery board with me and, in my boredom, would file my nails (longer and stronger then).

This sentence set me off. 😂 Still feel faintly hysterical.

You know that's illegal, strictly speaking?

OP, this is just rumination now.

FWIW, I think all of them coming to see you was quite nice.

What, transporting passengers on the roof rack? I'm not sure about the law on that in New Zealand but if it's going to get them in trouble with the law, perhaps they could strap one to the back of the car.

Or stick one in the boot.

Well I'll put this, before anyone else does.....

😂

[and besides, only an outline is needed for a publishing deal to be set in motion, not as much "detail" as I have included (which people would have complained about had I not...)

Do you talk in the same style you write OP?

@Suzuki70
(I expect you won't see this)

I am sorry that I have infuriated you and seemingly bypassed your support, I should have referred back to your post.
There have been so many that have been nasty, and some that feigned support and then made a jab or two, and I have got them muddled up.

However, in my defence, I loathe [and am triggered by} snippy phrases like Move On, Get Over It and yes, your Set Yourself Free..... so it brings out the worst in me too.
I apologise sincerely.

I adapt the way I speak, to the person or people I am speaking to.

Or write a short story for GCSE English 🫣

only 8 pages left before this thread is full...

Won't take long with more one line posts that are more pointless that the starting one (apparently).

Already have the - wait for it - 'O' levels, even the A level.

I mean you're definitely enjoying this thread, I don't believe for a second you're feeling bullied 🤣

Every cloud has a silver lining xx

You have no idea WHAT I am feeling. I have never said "bullied" but, from the outside looking in, some ot could seem that way?
I don't know why you think I'm enjoying it.

(Oh I know - because I am responding/defending myself/explaining further...)

Nope. That's not what I said.

I believe that attention spans are short (and I wrongly used the term ADHD), and there seems - on here/some forums - to be only enough patience for a post as brief as a text message. Longform might be frowned on, sneered at, dismissed and even laughed at.
Of course, the subject matter and author do play a part.

I do not believe that a short attention span is synonymous with a low IQ, nor are they mutually exclusive.

See - I've had to (over-) explain myself again.