Opting out of Mother's Day emails

I don't know what has prompted this, but today OpenTable sent an email with the option of not receiving emails about Mother's Day specials.  This is the second organization (I can't remember the first) to do this and it is such a relief.

Mother's Day has always been a challenge since random people feel compelled to wish me a "Happy Mother's Day" even though I am not anyone's mom - a painful reminder that I do not have children.

Now that my own Mom has died, it will be nice to have fewer reminders this May. 

I hope more companies offer this option.

Know that you are not alone.  Family-based holidays can be triggers for those of us who have suffered the loss of a loved one or find ourselves alone, isolated and depressed when it seems everyone else is joyously celebrating.  I too have lost both my parents.  For me Mothers Day and Fathers Day are memories day when I dwell on the good times we had together when they were alive. 

I wish businesses would stop sending holiday greetings entirely. I don't want a Happy Thanksgiving text from my AC service company. 

kthnry said:

I wish businesses would stop sending holiday greetings entirely. I don't want a Happy Thanksgiving text from my AC service company. 

Agreed! It's all advertising for them and not always an appropriate wish for the recipient. (And more "junk mail" as far as I'm concerned.

Many years ago we were going through a difficult time trying to expand our family.  We had recently experienced a pretty tough disappointment and a well-meaning relative wished me a Happy Father’s Day. She had no idea what we were going through (I was not yet a father) but it felt like a gut punch. 

I wouldn’t ever wish anyone a happy Mothers or Father’s Day if I didn’t know their full situation. Not everyone who doesn’t have children does so by choice.