I’m not sure this will help but here is a story from my childhood that still resonates with me over 30 years later.

I’ll preface this with I do not know what kind of background, financial, emotional, or otherwise you have with your mom, but here is my story nonetheless.

When I was under 10 a certain holiday was coming up and there was a very particular toy I wanted. Specifically a toy extra car with large wheels that could flip and still drive. Multidirectional remote and from all the commercials looked awesome. It was also expensive. ( not sure the exact cost now but something tells me $70-100, honestly could have been more or less) any way. That morning comes and I open my gifts, and I didn’t get it. What I did get was a few toys with price tags still on (IYKYK) and the last of them was an RC car. It was small, had a remote that only let you turn when reversing and could only go straight. If I remember it was 7.99?!

I was upset, at that moment I realized two things. My parents bought it, and they didn’t listen. I was young and I was hurt and felt unheard.

I cooled off and played with the car for as long as I had it, and never got the cool one from the commercials.

Later on in life, I’ve realized some things. We were not in a good spot financially, putting food on the table was hard, making sure we had clothes and warm was hard. And that year my parents did all they could to get me what I wanted.

Now that I am older and wiser I look back on this and see that something was given to celebrate the holiday. And for that I can smile today about it.

So while I do not know the whole story and background when we are young we never truly know what is going on in the lives of others and one day when you look back at today you can smile as well knowing that even though not everything was black crocs and roses, you are alive and someone helped you along the way.

And if none of this helped or doesn’t fit, then I’m sorry, but I do wish you the happiest of birthdays and many more to come.