Many years ago Chris and I visited my daughter accompanied by my 12 year old grandson. As it turns out, my ex-husband was there visiting her as well.
Not wanting to be around him, we sat outside under her pergola with my grandson, sipping on a cup of tea.
My daughter and her father were inside when we heard as plain as day my ex-husband ask her, "Who is this kid?" My daughter replied quite embarrassed, "That's your grandson, L-!"
Well, my poor grandson, L heard it too and he went very quiet. Then he took off in to the back garden, obviously upset.
Putting down my cuppa, I followed him and found him crying and quite embarrassed about being found in tears.
A sensitive boy, I knew he was hurt, and I put my arm around him and drew him into me. Not needing an explanation, one was soon forthcoming.
Between sobs, he told me that Grandpa didn't even know him! He then declared that Grandpa Chris was his real grandpa and quite correctly he lamented that he himself didn't even know his own grandpa but that it was too late now. He didn't want anything to do with him.
I felt L's pain because often in my marriage with said negligent grandpa, I too was invisible. Rejection and indifference hurts.
We all want to be known. We want some bond and attention from those who are supposed to love us and if it is not forthcoming, the emotions can be quite strong.
Reflecting on this, I thought of God Who knows us from birth and Who knows us by name. What a precious thing to remember! It is something to reflect on in moments of feeling invisible and forgotten..
Because sometimes you just want to be seen.