DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Two years ago, my grandfather decided to give each of his six grandchildren a big screen TV. At the time, I was still in the service, living in the barracks, and didn’t have any place to put a big TV. Also at the time, my mother said maybe her dad would just give me the cash equivalent, to be fair. But he didn’t, and now that I’m out and have an apartment big enough for a nice screen, he has never offered to get one for me.
I don’t like feeling resentful, especially over “things,” but does it seem fair to you that I got left out of the gift-giving? It feels weird to talk to my grandfather about this, but I feel like I have to clear the air with him. --- NO TV FOR ME
DEAR NO TV FOR ME: It is an awkward situation, but you don’t know that your grandfather doesn’t have something else in mind to make things more equitable for you. And, even if he isn’t thinking along those lines at this time, it doesn’t mean he loves or values you any less than his other grandchildren.
Speaking to him about the omission would possibly come off as whiney at the least, and confrontational at the worst, and everyone suffers in that scenario.
At this point, try giving him the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t forget you.