Encouragement

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“Overlooked”

Everyone was focused on the little children climbing up on my brother’s knee. It was his 49th birthday and the family has gathered together to celebrate. It was a tradition that we loved to carry on through the years.

The children were adorable, ranging from 2 weeks old to 3 years old, four boys and two little girls, and they wanted in on the action of helping their beloved Uncle Butch open his gifts. They were so cute, all with a unique personality of their own. They were so loved, by parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles. What could possible be missing in this wonderful festivity?

I sat on the corner of the couch, trying not to cry, trying to look like I was having wonderful time. Deep down, but I feared not deep enough, my heart was broken because my daughter and grand-daughter were not at this party. They hadn’t been invited.

Last year they had been here. My beautiful little granddaughter had joined the fun on Uncle Butch’s knee. Why, I wondered had they not been asked to come tonight? My daughter was probably perplexed and hurt when she asked what I was doing for the evening and I told her. She probably wondered why they hadn’t been included in the party, but she was too gracious to ask.

My sister-in-law has been my best friend for over 30 years and we have been through so much together. I knew she had had a rough winter and was still trying to get her balance from it all. I didn’t want to make a big bad deal of the situation. I didn’t want to spoil the lovely party. I was trying to hold my emotions in check.

However, I knew that she knew that I was upset and it was confirmed when she asked me to come to the kitchen and help her bring in the birthday cakes. As soon as we were out of ear-shot of everyone else, she asked. I tried to ignore her with excuses for my quietness, but she was insistent.

I told her I was hurt that my daughter and granddaughter weren’t there. I told her that I couldn’t imagine why she hadn’t invited them this year, that it was hard to see all the other children gathered there on my brother’s knee and not Kessa.

She apologized over and over, saying that she thought she had told me to invite them. She is calling today to tell them how sorry she is that they were overlooked.

I forgive her. I know we all make mistakes. I hope that this was a lesson to me in the future, to be careful not to overlook others. Being overlooked hurts and leaves scares and hurt feelings. It says to the other person, “You aren’t that important. I wasn’t really thinking about you much.”

Is there someone you have overlooked lately? Take time to let them know you care. Save a heart today!

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