Cheer Up...

In the last year, my biological father has gotten in contact with me.

He was MIA for over 20 years. He then got in contact with my older sister. She clearly remembers him, she was three when my mother & he split up. They were already separated when I was born, got back together & then went their own way. I met him back then, about 15 years ago. It was very awkward for me. I already have a dad and this person appeared for a weekend & expected to be as such. I never spoke with him again after that. My sister has maintained contact with him and developed a relationship. The relationship between my sister & I is often tenuous. We didn't talk for a long time as adults. We have reconciled & I try my best with her. However, I feel she compartmentalized her relationship with our biological father from me.

When MM was born, she and I were not talking. (That is a whole other story to be hashed out some other time) MM was a secret from the biological father for a long time. I didn't have any relationship with him. I also didn't feel it was important. When my nephew was born, I guess he assumed it was his first grandchild. Things were fine by me. My sister continued to feel a need to keep her a secret. I could care less either way.

Then along came F.ace.B.ook.

Being friends with my sister, she friended his two daughters (yes, I know they are my half sisters, but I need baby steps with this...) & his current wife. They could see posts & pics (I wasn't savy on how to make things private like I am now). She asked if I cared if they friended me. I didn't mind. My biological father also friended me. Fine. He then found out about MM, that she existed, his FIRST grandchild. Still fine.

I have tried my best to foster a relationship with him. I don't really think it is a familial one, but it is semi cordial. I feel like the more people in MM's life that know her & love her, the better off she will be. He has sent her two packages, I sent a few pics. I occasionally chat online with him & sent a few texts. I have put forth the effort and feel I have done all I can. The ball is in his court if he wants more, but I am not reaching out any more. He was the one who pursued me. I don't feel like I have a void in my life.

All this history leads up to the following:

My sister told him about MM's disabilities when he first found out about her. Things have been said or done that really rub me the wrong way. I know people mean well, but the best of intentions...

I posted about having a bad day yesterday & feeling bad. He texted me to ask how I was doing (btw, I have not heard from him in over a month). I just said I was tired & life was kicking my butt right now (have had several trying ASD days in a row). He txtd back "cheer up, I have days and weeks like that".

OOOOkkkkkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy.

That just pi$$ed me off to the hilt. YOU do NOT have days like this or weeks. YOU had four healthy daughters, two of whom you ignored for years. YOU don't know what it's like to be exhausted from ticks, meltdowns, the constant needs of self help, having a 7 year old functioning like a 3.5 year old,worrying about paying medical bills, going to therapy, making sure you are doing enough for her, fretting about IEPs, fighting the school, the constant stares in public, the mental & emotional beat down etc, etc. YOU don't know how hard it is to walk around with your heartbroken cause you can't fix or stop what is going on. It will not change. It will not go away. You have never seen her, spent 1 minute with her, let alone a day.

So, sorry if I don't cheer up immediately. I think I am entitled to a pity party every now & then. They don't come as often as they used to, but they do come, especially on super trying days like the last few have been. If you really knew about our life & really wanted to be involved in a true grandparent role, then you would know. I am sure you meant well, but no.

No.

NO.

You do NOT have days like this. You NEVER will.