DEAR ABBY: Today is my 50th birthday. I'm a person with a few close friends, but I'm not widely social.
The members of my book club knew it was my birthday when we met a few days ago. I had mentioned it before our meeting. Nothing was said when we met.
My best friend is going on vacation and hasn't remembered. My husband asked me what plans I had made for us to do today. My sister, bless her, has been wonderful and feels responsible to try to make this day special for me.
Is it really my job to plan a celebration and remind everyone I'm close to? I have talked enough about how important this particular birthday is to me. I'm hurt that no one feels I'm worth the effort. Am I making too big a deal out of this? -- VEXED IN VERMONT
DEAR VEXED: I think so. My dear mother used to say, "If you want something done right, do it yourself!" That's good advice when those around you are too preoccupied to be as nurturing as you would like them to be.