DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have recently lost my only child. I do not like it when people wish me a happy Father's Day. I have mentioned this to my immediate family, and they think it's weird but are stopping.
Am I out of line? I feel as though they are a bit thoughtless in wishing me a happy Father's Day, because it could never be a happy day for me.
I would never wish this to someone who has lost a child, especially an only child. It just seems tasteless and almost feels like it's rubbing it in my face, although I know they are not. I now just avoid everyone, but I still get text messages from well-meaning friends and family. I don't feel comfortable responding to them about how this bothers me.
GENTLE READER: What is wrong with these people?
These are not even mindless strangers who toss holiday greetings around promiscuously, but your own relatives and friends who know of your loss. And they are telling you to be happy about it.
Miss Manners is afraid that you will have to remind them. A quiet "I suppose you have forgotten what happened to my child" should do it.