Yoga, you're very welcome. I think it's very normal to start blaming oneself when there doesn't seem to be any immediate solution. But unless there's something one has truly done wrong, that's not really fair to oneself, IMO. If estD is being controlled by other people, it's not your fault in any way. Like you, I hope the more positive possibility comes true.
Rubylady, how awful not to even be able to send GS a gift! At least then, you would be able to feel you had some kind of relationship with him, even if only from afar, and that he would have some fond memories of you. I don't know why some parents deny their kids gifts, just cuz they've had a falling out with somebody! I get that it's hard to arrange visits if the adults aren't speaking, but why is a gift a problem? I've looked at some DIL boards and I see them telling each other "no contact means no contact," so no gifts or cards from the EGPs allowed and so forth. But I don't understand why it has to be so extreme. I'm so sorry about this!
I wonder, don't these parents realize how hard these special days must be for EGPs? Or don't they think about it?
Anyhow, I think the piano is a great idea! Music is such a great healer!
Also, I don't recall if you ever said, but I hope you have an account or accounts for your GC, where you can deposit a financial gift for each birthday and so on. I've read here and elsewhere about EGPs doing that. At least then, maybe you would feel as if you were doing something for their birthdays. And when they got it, years later, they would know you were always thinking of them.
Luckylegs, I know how you feel about wishing you had learned to play an instrument. Me too. My parents gave me piano lessons, for a while, when I was a kid, but I didn't appreciate it back then and didn't practice enough, LOL! So, after a while, they let it go. While I'm not in the unhappy situation some of you ladies are in, I've still had my bad days, here and there, of course, and being able to sit down and play something would have been so nice. I do listen to CDs and the radio, so music is still part of my life. I hope the same is true for you.
Welcome lonniefrances! I'm so deeply sorry about your estrangement from dh's 2 children. Were you close to them at any time? If so, my heart goes out to both of you!. If not, then it still goes out to poor dh - and to you, also, cuz I know it must be hard to see him in pain. I'm sorry, too, that you people never got to meet those 4 GC. I hope dh has an open FB account, even if only those GC can contact him someday when they're old enough, if they are so inclined. I've heard of some EGPs doing that.
Or maybe they will be able to get your address or phone number from their cousins if they're interested. There is no guarantee that they'll ever want to reach out to you people. But at least one of them might though they probably won't be able to till they're in their teens or older.
Anyhow, I'm glad you still have a relationship with dh's other ds and his kids. And with your own 2 dgds, as well. How heartwarming that your dgds love dh so much and see him as their actual "grandad!" I hope you both take lots of pleasure in these families and try not to focus too much on the ones you are estranged from.
As you can see, your post was not "long" - this is long, LOL! (Sorry people)