Just spoke to my niece and it made me realize how much I’m failing her.

She called me to ask what present she should get for a friend’s birthday. I was feeling really tired and anxious, so I quickly gave her a few gift ideas. She paused and said a couple of things like, “okay”, “k, thanks”. I’m no idiot. She was waiting for me to ask how she was doing. I like, have been her male figure, her iconic uncle, her confidant, her friend. She asked how I’ve been and I fucked it up up by just saying I’m tired. She said “okay, thanks, bye” and hung up.<br><br>This little interaction made me realize I don’t know how she felt about a recent situation a little situation. She’s probably not doing great, given that a little situation but I’ve been ignoring it because I’m too tired to help and I’m too tired to even listen. <br><br>I fucking failed, goddammit. She needed me there, and there I was, feeling like I can’t handle any more of someone else’s shit. <br><br>She fucked up, yes. But she’s my niece and it’s my job to show her I’m there for her. I can’t help but feel I’m failing her, which makes me feel worse.