Ryder’s eighteenth birthday was supposed to be special, but his father’s absence disappointed him. He felt devastated when he found out that his father had chosen to go fishing with his friends instead. What happened next made Ryder rethink everything.
I never thought my father would forget one of the most important days of my life, but here it was.
Hello, everyone! My name is Ryder, and I just turned 18. Before I tell you what happened on my birthday, let me tell you a little bit about my life.
When I was growing up, everything was fine until I turned seven. That’s when the arguments between my mum and dad started.
She was always angry with him, but I was too young to understand what was going on.
And then — bang. I’m eight, and my dad is gone.
I clearly remember how my mum sat me down at the table that day and said, ‘Ryder, sweetie, your dad won’t be living with us anymore. But you can still see him whenever you want, okay?’
I felt my heart pound. ‘But why, Mummy? Did I do something wrong?’
My mummy’s eyes filled with tears, but she smiled. ‘Oh, no, sweetie. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not your fault at all.’
‘Then why is Dad leaving?’
She sighed deeply. ‘Well, sometimes grown-ups… they just can’t live together anymore. Your dad and I tried very hard to make it work, but sometimes things don’t turn out the way we hope.’
‘Maybe you’ll try harder?’ I pleaded.
She hugged me. ‘We tried, Ryder. For a long time. But sometimes the kindest thing we can do is live apart. Your father and I have always loved you. That will never change. We just won’t be living in the same house anymore.’
And that’s how my parents got divorced.
After the divorce, my mum got a job as a primary school teacher. She worked hard to give me a good life, and I will always cherish that.
But my dad? He was like a ghost in my life.
He was always busy with work, friends and his endless list of hobbies. Fishing was his favourite hobby.
Every weekend, he would disappear with his friends to go fishing. He would leave even when my mother called him the day before to remind him that he was supposed to pick me up on Saturday.
Despite everything, part of me still wanted his attention. I wanted him to notice me, to be proud of me.
As a result, I spent years trying to win his approval, hoping that one day he would understand how much I needed him.
I was wrong.
Over time, it became clear that his priorities lay elsewhere.
As my 18th birthday approached, I thought maybe this time he would show up. After all, turning 18 is a big deal, right?
I planned a small party with my mum and my closest friends. I even wrote to my dad about it.
His response? ‘Sounds great! I’ll try to be there.’
I felt a spark of hope. Maybe this time he would come.
The big day arrived, and Mum had gone all out. She decorated the house with balloons and banners, baked my favourite cake, and even bought me the new guitar I’d been eyeing for months.
‘Mum, this is amazing!’ I said, hugging her tightly.
She smiled at me. ‘Only the best for my boy. You deserve it, Ryder.’
Friends began to arrive, and soon the house was buzzing with laughter and excitement. But time passed, and Dad was still nowhere to be seen.
I kept checking my phone, hoping he would text me, but there was nothing.
After waiting for several hours, I decided to call him. I couldn’t take it anymore.
I dialled his number, but it went straight to voicemail. I tried again and again until he finally picked up. I could hear waves and voices in the background.
‘Hi, baby,’ he said as if it were a normal day.
‘Dad, it’s my birthday,’ I reminded him, trying not to sound desperate.
‘Oh, yes. Happy birthday!’ he replied. ‘I’m at the lake with the guys. See you later, okay?’
I hung up without saying another word. I felt my eyes sting and tears blur my vision. I ran to my room and hid there until my mum found me.
She sat down next to me and hugged me around the shoulders.
‘I’m sorry, dear. You know what he’s like.’
‘I know,’ I whispered, trying to be strong. But inside, I was broken into pieces.
I couldn’t believe that Dad had forgotten my birthday again. I just wanted him to be there with me for once. To watch me blow out the candles on my 18th birthday. Was that too much to ask?
The days after my birthday passed in a blur. I pretended that everything was fine and smiled at my friends and mum, but in reality, it was different. I felt invisible.
My dad’s absence constantly reminded me that I wasn’t important enough to him.
Finally, I saw his name on my phone screen when he called me a week later. He acted as if nothing had happened.
‘Hi, I have a gift for you,’ he said. ‘Do you want to come and pick it up?’
Part of me wanted to tell him to forget it, but another part was still clinging to that tiny bit of hope.
So I agreed.
A few hours later, I was standing outside his house.
‘Here’s my boy! Come on in,’ he smiled, ‘I have something for you.’
He led me into the living room, where a long, mysterious package was leaning against the wall. When I unwrapped it, my heart sank.
Dad handed me a fishing rod with a proud grin.
‘What do you think?’ he asked. ‘We can go fishing together sometime!’
I stared at the fishing rod, feeling as if I had been punched in the stomach. It was a real betrayal, wrapped in shiny paper.
It showed that he hadn’t thought about what I might want or need. He had given me a symbol of his absence.
The fishing rod reminded me of the very activity that had stolen him from me.
‘Thanks, Dad,’ I forced a smile. ‘That’s… great.’
He didn’t seem to notice my lack of enthusiasm.
‘I decided it was time you learned the ropes. You’ll have fun!’
I nodded.
‘So how about next weekend?’ he asked. ‘My friends and I are planning a trip. You can join us!’
I looked at him.
I really looked at him.
And then everything suddenly became crystal clear.
The fishing rod wasn’t just an unfortunate gift, it was proof that I would never be his priority.
It also helped me realise that he wasn’t inviting me into his world. He was just trying to fit me into the gaps between his real interests.
‘I… I can’t come next weekend, Dad,’ I said. ‘I have plans with Mum.’
He frowned for a second, but then his smile returned.
‘Don’t worry,’ he said, ‘we’ll find another time.’
I knew we wouldn’t. And for the first time, I accepted it.
As I left his house with my fishing rod in my hands, I felt something change inside me. I realised that I couldn’t keep chasing after someone who couldn’t be there for me.
It was time to let go of my fantasies and accept reality.
Over the next few months, I focused on the people who genuinely cared about me. Who were they? My mum, my friends and, of course, myself.
In addition, I immersed myself in music, spending hours playing the guitar.
I also started helping my mother more around the house to thank her for everything she had done for me over the years.
One evening, as we were washing the dishes together, my mother asked, ‘Have you heard anything from your father lately?’
I shook my head. ‘No, but that’s okay. I’m tired of waiting for him to show up.’
She looked at me sadly. ‘I’m sorry it turned out this way, Ryder. I always hoped…’
‘I know, Mum,’ I said, hugging her. ‘But I have you, and that’s more than enough.’
She held me tight. ‘You’re an amazing young man, Ryder. Never forget that.’
Over time, I realised that my worth wasn’t tied to my dad’s attention. I found strength in the love and support that surrounded me.
Besides, Dad never changed. He continued to go about his business, meet with friends, and live in a world where there was no place for me.
His actions taught me a valuable lesson: sometimes people can’t be the way you want them to be, and that’s okay. I also learned that it’s important to find happiness within yourself and cherish those who truly see and support you.
The fishing rod? It’s still in my closet, untouched.
Sometimes I think about selling it, but I keep it as a reminder. Not of what I lost, but of what I gained. Self-respect, resilience, and the ability to let go of what I cannot change.
What would you have done in my place?
