With Christmas being almost a month ago now, I find myself still questioning my dad‘s behaviour and would like some honest views on this.
A month before Christmas, my stepmother was taken ill and was admitted to hospital for about a fortnight. She was discharged without any definite diagnosis, just a suspicion that it was a viral infection. My dad was understandably very worried during this time and when she came home said that they weren’t going to do Christmas this year. With a number of hospital appointment still hanging over them, I completely understood that they did not want to send cards, buy presents etc and respected their wishes. My dad asked me to tell my two sons (both in their 20s), his grandchildren, that they were not going to do Christmas this year.
What I don’t understand though, is that on Christmas Day on Facebook he posted a picture of his dog dressed up in Christmas clothes and then went to my stepmother’s daughter’s house for Christmas lunch. I didn’t hear from him at all on Christmas Day – not even a text message.
I should add some context here. My dad walked out on my mum when I was two years old and I grew up with my mother and an abusive stepfather who used to revel in telling me “your real dad doesn’t love you “.
So what are your thoughts? Am I being unreasonable to feel that I was shut out at Christmas? Perhaps I’m being triggered to remember my stepfather‘s cruel words. Or should I at least have expected a text message?