18 April 2006

World's Worst Wife

I forgot my husband's birthday.

I remembered it up to the day, but the day of his actual birthday, we were both working 16 hours and focused on a huge event the next day, and then, at 11:30 that night, I was lying in bed, waiting for him to get ready, and he said something about it being a sucky birthday.

I sat bolt upright, started bawling, and said, "Happy Birthday" between sobs (As I'd been crying all day getting things together for the event, it wasn't actually that dramatic...it was more like I just resumed crying.)

To my defense, he had forgotten it was his own birthday until mid-afternoon but still...

I also came to the difficult decision that something's gotta give. I enjoy being a part of helping other people build their families through adoption, but the job's not worth it if it's going to have this negative impact on me and my own family.

So here I sit, looking at the birthday card that his nephew sent him. It has a frog on the front and a crayon picture of some random lines inside with the caption, "Happy Birthday Uncle Billy Marching Happy Dance" written out by Bill's sister. And I'm just thankful for something that will get me to smile.

5 comments:

Shelli said...

OH NO!!!!!!!!!! I'm so sorry Karen...that is the WORST!

anne said...

What a frustrating day...

Hard choices to make between all the things that are good, to decide on the things that are best. I'm right there too.

Hillary said...

oooh, I HATE that feeling. Iforgot my parent's birthdays this year - BOTH of them (they're only three days apart in age). The worst thing was that I actually CALLED them on my dad's b-day by mistake, and as I was laughing about the mistake I made, my mom goes, "oh, I thought you were calling to wish your father a happy birthday." It was then I relized that hers was three days earlier.

CRAP.

Thank goodness for understanding, forgiving parents. I'm sure your hubby is the same way.

It sounds like you two need a vacation! If I were a magical genie I'd grant you one...

*POOF!* :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Karen's hubby!

michele said...

Just passing through but I thought I would let you know you are not the only one. I did it too a couple years ago. Don't feel bad it can happen to anyone and your husband should have mentioned it to you (my huband say anything either -- very passive agressive).

So, you are the worst wife, you share the honor with someone else! And I'm probably worse because I just called my husband passive agressive in public :-).