**Diary of a Father**
“That’s why my son told me I wasn’t invited to your wedding.” He tried to comfort me, promising that he and his wife would come visit me the next day and bring a cake.
When Alejandro was little, just six years old, his father disappeared from our lives. One day, and the next, an empty door. I was left alone with a toddler and the echo of silence instead of the warmth of a home. Without anyone’s support, I became a mother, father, breadwinner, and provider all in one. I worked double shifts, took on extra jobs, pulled sleepless nights, and refused to get sick. The only thing that mattered was that my son had everything. That he never felt less than other children with both parents.
I never thought about myself. I never put my personal life first. Yes, there were men. Even some who offered me the chance to share their lives. But I couldn’t. I was afraid that Alejandro would feel displaced, that someone would take my place in his heart. One love was enough for me: his. All my affection, all my attention, all my heart was for him. I lived for his interests, his achievements, his laughter.
Alejandro grew up a handsome, intelligent, and exceptionally well-mannered boy. He entered college and graduated with honors. He got a good job and became a confident man. And then Lucía appeared. He told me about her after they had been together for six months. She seemed kind, polite, and proper. But… distant. Too distant.
A couple of weeks after his last visit, Alejandro announced they were getting married. I was overjoyed. I could already imagine choosing my dress, greeting guests, hugging my son in front of the courthouse, congratulating the bride, toasting together, laughing… It’s one of the most important days for a mother!
But Alejandro kept putting off the details. I kept insisting: When’s the date? Where will it be? What should I wear? Until, at one point, he took a deep breath and said,
“Mom, there won’t be a wedding. We’ll just register at the courthouse. No guests. No banquet. Just the two of us. That’s what Lucía wants.”
At first, I didn’t understand. What do you mean, without a wedding? Without me? She explained that Lucía didn’t want to spend money on a celebration; they’d rather save for their house. If they invited someone, they’d have to include her family, and that was already complicated. And if they invited everyone, they’d need money. And if they only invited me, it would be awkward. So they decided to do it alone.
And then Alejandro blurted out something that broke my heart:
“Mom, you’re not invited. If you go, there will be questions. We don’t want to hurt anyone in Lucía’s family. So please, stay home.”
I remained silent. Inside, it felt like a knife had been stuck inside me. How was this possible? He’s my son. I gave birth to him, raised him, gave him everything. And on the most important day of his life, I have no place?
I offered to pay for part of the banquet, however humble, as a gift from me. But they refused. They said their decision was firm.
“The next day we’ll come see you, we’ll bring a cake, we’ll be together,” Alejandro added in a low voice. “As a family.”
And I wondered: Is this in the family? Is it now common to remove the mother from the wedding as if she were unnecessary? Where are my years of worries, sleepless nights, missed opportunities to ensure he wouldn’t lack for anything? How could they even imagine I wouldn’t be there?
I don’t blame Alejandro. He’s not cruel. He just chose peace. He preferred not to rock the boat. Not to argue with his wife. Not to upset the balance with his new family. And his old one, mine… can wait. Even if it’s the one that gave him life.
My heart breaks.
And no, I don’t know how to greet them with that cake. I don’t know what face to put on, whether happy or forced. Because inside there are only tears, resentment, and an empty seat at the table where I should be. The mother.
**Lesson:** Sometimes giving your all doesn’t guarantee anything in return. And the greatest love hurts when it’s not reciprocated.
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