Anonymous wrote:My dad cut off his relationship with his brother when I was 10. I have not had contact with my Uncle or my his kids (my cousins) since then. It makes me sad and I wish it was different. I would have loved to get gifts from my Uncle and I think it is nice you are trying to keep the connection.
+1
My mom severed ties with her family (though it might have been more complicated than that). Despite the absence, I would have appreciated my aunts and uncles sending a birthday card or gift - I don't think they ever did. I think the effort would have made a difference in wanting to see about a relationship as I got older. And as I've gotten older, I don't feel that interested in getting to know my aunts and uncles precisely because there's no effort.
Family members sever ties all the time, for all kinds of reasons. And sometimes, different generations re-connect. It's one thing to send gifts all the time and try and make a show of it. It's another thing to continue to send a small card/gift on special occasions, with a simple "Happy birthday Jane & John!" It would be weirder to skip it, but send cards/gifts to their cousins.