I don’t recall too many bad birthdays, but I had a really shitty Christmas once.

My sister got married on the 18th and Mom and Dad had dropped a bundle: engraved invitations, designer wedding dress, reception at an exclusive resort. So, they gave me and my other sisters each $50 and one of those things people use to carry their ski boots. I did not take the money out of the card before my Dad burned it in the fireplace. He used this as a teachable moment and did not replace it. It’s not as sad a story as yours, but for 14-year-old, it was tragic.