Easter has long been a stressful and sad time in my family. We've lost several loved ones around this time of year in the past. I just don't look forward to it at all. My memories of Easter weekends are not good for the most part. So...here we are... Easter just around the corner and I'm beyond stressed again. And feeling guilty for not wanting to do anything with family. My husband and I don't have any kids to enjoy the holiday with. So, sometimes we just do our own thing. But, this year I'm feeling more stressed than usual for some reason. And all my stress and anxiety goes right to my stomach. My brother never has to worry about stuff like this. I just tell him what time we are eating for any holiday and he shows up. He's single. Not a care in the world...but the holidays, etc. always fall on me. Just needed to vent, I guess....thanks for listening.
It just makes me wonder. Do you think his heart might be sinking as low as yours has been?
If he and bro don't get on, would it be easier going if you had them one at a time?
If your brother and your dad don't get along at all, then why does your brother even want to come? Free food?
One Thanksgiving the grown daughter and her teen girls said they would be over [they stayed at hotel] to help get the turkey ready, etc. They showed up just in time to eat. I was too exhausted to even remember what everything tasted.
They spent the vast majority of their time on their iPhones, the parent was just as much at fault. We tried to get conversations going, but that lasted only a few minutes, and wham they were back on their phones like what was on the screen was more important..... [sigh].
Because of my serious health events ( stroke & heart surgery scheduled) we are going to church and staying home. I cannot do it anymore.
I feel sad that my children are not planning anything for hubby & me. This was a time we needed their support.
Well you cannot make them care and I am over it.
What would you like to do instead of hosting the family get-together? Do that. Tell your family, with all love and kindness, that you and DH are - whatever. Playing bridge. Waterskiing, A sponsored walk on Kilimanjaro. Watching the grass grow. - and they must make their own arrangements. Send them an Easter basket if you feel so inclined, not if you don't.
Learning to please yourself is a skill we all need to work on, I think.
Assuming it's too late this year, tomorrow being Good Friday and all, and you're lumbered like it or not, you will have to throw yourself into the spirit of the occasion for this last time and make it enjoyable for everyone else even if you can't manage it for yourself. Let the sad commemorations wait until afterwards.
Treat this weekend like any other one -- mow the lawn, go to the movies, get Chinese food -- anything that will tell you that it's just another day, because it is.