Forgiving siblings

I've just posted about my dad passing away last week and probably should have included this, but I only just thought of it so I'm doing a separate one. Sorry!!

 

My dad left us last week after ten months battling a brain tumour.

 

I am his only biological child. I have grown up in a five person family with my mum, brother and sister, who are about a decade older than me. They are my mum's children but lived with my mum and my dad since I was born, spent Christmas with the family every year, my dad helped with their house deposits, he considered their children his grandchildren etc etc.

 

They have continually ignored me since my father was diagnosed and I don't know how to deal. I know he wouldn't want me to break up the family. But they frequently come to my home town, meet up with each other and don't invite me. I know it sounds pathetic. But I feel like my dad was my link to my family. Now he's not here, I'm not part of the family anymore.

 

Since my dad passed last week, I've had one message from my sister and nothing at all from my brother. Nothing at all. I am fuming.

When my dad told us his diagnosis was terminal, I was crying and had to go to the toilet. They left together while I was in the loo. No word, no tissue, no contact.

 

I'm so angry and don't know what to do. Anyone experiencing something like this?? ?

  • Hello IntoTheWoodland

    I've read your other post as well as this one and I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. It's obviously an incredibly difficult time for you at the moment and it's understandable that you're dealing with multiple emotions connected with both your Dad and your siblings. 

    Grief is a natural process but it can be devastating. Have you had a chance to sit and talk with your Mum about how you're feeling? Whilst she is obviously dealing with her own grief, I'm sure as your Mum she wouldn't want you to feel alone in all this. It can be easy when a loved one passes to not talk about difficult topics for fear of upsetting other people. Try and speak with your Mum about how you're feeling about not being with your Dad when he passed. It may be that she's feeling the same. Perhaps you could ask if she's heard from your siblings and how they're doing. Mention that you've not heard from them since your Dad passed away. 

    Many people find that having some support from outside their circle of friends and family can be helpful. You might want to look at the information on the Cruse website and consider possibly arranging some bereavement support to help in the coming weeks. 

    Keep posting here on the forum if it helps and we'll do our best to listen and support you. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Thank you so much for your response, Jenn. I really appreciate it.