“Twice a Year, I Send My Eldest Grandson Some Money”: But I Never Hear Back from Him

Twice a year, I send my eldest grandson, Ethan, a little bit of money. Ethan is a college student, and I know how tight finances can be when you’re trying to juggle tuition, books, and living expenses. I send the same amount to his two younger sisters, Emily and Grace. They are still in high school but are always so grateful and excited when they receive my gift.

Emily and Grace never fail to call me as soon as they get the money. They thank me profusely, share their excitement about the gift, and tell me all about what they bought or plan to buy. Emily usually spends her money on art supplies; she’s quite the budding artist. Grace often buys books or saves up for something special she’s been eyeing for a while. Their calls warm my heart and make me feel connected to their lives, even though we live miles apart.

But from Ethan, there’s no call, no letter, no message. Not even a text. It’s as if my gesture goes unnoticed or unappreciated. I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment every time I think about it. I remember when Ethan was younger; he used to be so close to me. We would spend hours together, playing board games or just talking about life. He was always so thoughtful and considerate.

I understand that college life is busy and stressful. I remember my own days as a student, juggling classes, part-time jobs, and social activities. But a simple “thank you” doesn’t take much time or effort. It makes me wonder if I’ve done something wrong or if he’s just too caught up in his own world to remember his old grandmother.

I’ve tried reaching out to him several times. I’ve sent him messages asking how he’s doing, how his classes are going, and if he needs anything. Sometimes he replies with a short message, but more often than not, there’s no response. It’s like he’s built a wall around himself, shutting out everyone who cares about him.

I talked to my daughter, Ethan’s mother, about it. She assured me that Ethan is just busy and that he appreciates my help more than I know. She said that he’s been under a lot of pressure with his studies and that he’s not very good at expressing his feelings. While I understand her point of view, it doesn’t make the silence any easier to bear.

I don’t want to stop sending him money because I know he needs it. But every time I do, I can’t help but feel a little more disheartened by the lack of acknowledgment. It’s not about the money; it’s about the connection and the simple act of gratitude that seems to be missing.

I hope that one day Ethan will realize how much it means to me to hear from him. Maybe he’ll look back and understand that those small gestures of appreciation can make a big difference in someone’s life. Until then, I’ll keep sending the money and hoping for a change.

In the meantime, I’ll cherish the calls from Emily and Grace. Their gratitude and excitement remind me that my efforts are not in vain and that I’m still making a positive impact on their lives.