The Forgotten Birthday Card
Olivia Wilson came home in a gloomy mood.
“Hello, love! Fancy some dinner?” her husband, James, greeted her with a smile in the hallway.
“Did you actually cook? You never step foot in the kitchen,” she asked, surprised.
“Well, it’s your birthday. Thought you shouldn’t have to cook on your special day,” he said cheerfully.
Olivia sat on the hallway stool and suddenly burst into tears.
“Liv, what’s wrong?” James asked, alarmed.
“She didn’t even wish me… Not a single word…” she whispered between sobs.
“Who? What are you talking about?” James was lost. He couldn’t understand why his wife was so upset on what should’ve been a happy day.
From the morning, Olivia had felt off. Today was her 60th birthday. They hadn’t planned a big celebration—just something quiet. But at work, there’d been cake, speeches, and forced smiles. The whole affair left her drained, longing just to get home, lie down, and be alone with her thoughts.
That evening, her sister called.
“So, Liv, did you get many wishes today?” she asked.
“At work, yes. James got me flowers and a spa weekend—we’ll go in summer,” Olivia replied flatly.
“Well, that’s lovely! At our age, we deserve a bit of pampering. What about the kids? Is Daniel still on his shift?”
“Yes, another month to go. He called in the morning and sent roses in a vase later.”
“What about his wife? She lives just round the corner. Did she at least stop by?”
“Not even a text,” Olivia sighed bitterly. “After all we’ve done for them… She couldn’t even send a card.”
“Seriously?” her sister huffed. “I’ve got two daughters-in-law, and they’ve never pulled that. Absolutely nothing?”
Late that night, close to eleven, Olivia’s phone pinged. A message. Just a generic e-card with “Happy Birthday” written on it. No personal words. No call. No effort. Just a forwarded image.
“That’s all she managed,” Olivia said resentfully before bed. “Funny how quickly she forgets they’re living in the flat we gave them—no strings attached.”
“Don’t let it get to you. Kids these days—a quick pic, a like, and they think that’s enough,” James tried to soothe her.
“No, James. It’s not enough. It’s disrespect. A milestone like this isn’t just another date. It matters. And little things like this tell you a lot.”
The next morning, Olivia’s mood hadn’t lifted. The hurt only festered. She kept replaying yesterday in her head, twisting details, working herself into fresh tears. James saw it but couldn’t help. He even called their son.
“Mum’s upset again,” Daniel began wearily. “Is this about Emily?”
“I’m not angry. Just disappointed. She lives five minutes away and couldn’t even call,” Olivia snapped, taking the phone. “Tell your wife—I don’t forget things. And I won’t forget this.”
“Mum, she’s been busy. Work’s been mad,” Daniel tried defending her.
“Oh, please!” Olivia scoffed. “She had time for a lazy e-card but not two real words? How convenient.”
Later, Daniel spoke to Emily.
“I just forgot…” she admitted. “It was chaos at the office, and by the time I got home, I was shattered. Sent the card just so there was something.”
“Well, now it’s too late,” he muttered. “Mum’s hurt. And she won’t let this go.”
By Saturday, Emily still hadn’t visited—work was relentless. On Sunday, she decided to relax instead. Only late that evening did she think of dropping by.
“Oh well,” she told Daniel. “Next time. It’s not the end of the world.”
But Olivia wasn’t budging.
“Don’t bother with empty gestures,” she said coldly when Daniel mentioned it. “Kindness has its hour. It’s too late now.”
“So… you don’t want us to come?”
“No,” Olivia said sharply. “I don’t need fair-weather guests. I need respect. If that’s missing, don’t pretend.”
Emily didn’t think she’d done anything awful. But she knew—with a mother-in-law like Olivia, she’d have to tread carefully. So when their anniversary came around, she insisted on visiting with a gift.
“We’ll say we wanted to celebrate with you—that’s why we waited,” she winked at Daniel. “Gotta smooth things over.”
Olivia opened the door.
“Well, look who remembered,” she said dryly. “Finally made it for the anniversary.”
“Mum, come on,” Daniel sighed. “We don’t forget. Things just don’t always go to plan.”
Emily smiled, helped set the table, cleared dishes, and chatted warmly. At one point, she even said,
“We’re thinking of redoing the hallway. You’ve got such good taste—maybe you could help us pick wallpaper?”
“Of course I can,” Olivia beamed.
On the way home, Daniel frowned.
“Since when are we redecorating?”
“We’re not,” Emily laughed. “But if she feels needed, she might drop the grudge.”
Sure enough, a week later, Olivia was telling the neighbour how the young couple couldn’t even pick wallpaper without her. The hurt seemed to fade. Though one wrong move, and it could all start again…
