I'm getting there. Thank you for reading, and for your support.

My difficulty is that the mismatch is, more often than not, not due to
misunderstanding or complications or emergency, but often, blatant
disregard for commitment.

Like my parents indicating they'll be home “any time after 4pm” and
then they aren't there at 5pm, aren't answering their phone, I'm an
hour from my house, and I've got a starving kid in the backseat with
no food on me because I didn't plan for my expectations to not be met.
Thankfully my expectation that my bank will honor my credit card swipe
and that Wendy's will still serve chicken nuggets and cups of oranges
saves the day.

Or like booking a photoshoot for an evening because someone indicates
that they'll be taking care of my daughter that evening only to have
them postpone long enough to make it not happen.

Or like visiting a friend who claims to have a “kid friendly house”
(with kids of their own) only to find their living room in shambles
littered with trash, objects to be choked on, and things that make
enough noise when touched to bother the friends who those objects
belong to.

But you're right… the key is to set expectations realistically and
to only trust those that, not only have proven to be trustworthy, but
have proven themselves over the long haul.

And you're right, one day she will need you. I firmly believe that
children are better raised by many people — more than just 2 — and
that multiple positive influences allow them to round out the edges
inherent in all of our screwed up personalities and become better,
more stable people. As hard as I try and as fortunate as I am to be a
little more “feminine” and “nurturing” than most men, Celeste NEEDS
happy, positive, feminine influence in her life. I'm grateful for all
of the wonderful women in my life who provide that to her and I'm
happy to count you among them.

You have no idea how comforting that is for me, to be able to add the
two of you to the list of people that I can call upon if needed.

Just gotta teach you how to install a car seat and get you changing diapers. Ha.

I'm sorry you feel let down but pleased you're not down for good. Keep trekking and you'll find your footing.

I wish I had a solution, but the only thing I've found is that it's easier to set your expectations realistically with people whom you have known a long while.

Rob…

I'm getting there. Thank you for reading, and for your support.

My difficulty is that the mismatch is, more often than not, not due to
misunderstanding or complications or emergency, but often, blatant
disregard for commitment.

Like my parents indicating they'll be home “any time after 4pm” and
then they aren't there at 5pm, aren't answering their phone, I'm an
hour from my house, and I've got a starving kid in the backseat with
no food on me because I didn't plan for my expectations to not be met.
Thankfully my expectation that my bank will honor my credit card swipe
and that Wendy's will still serve chicken nuggets and cups of oranges
saves the day.

Or like booking a photoshoot for an evening because someone indicates
that they'll be taking care of my daughter that evening only to have
them postpone long enough to make it not happen.

Or like visiting a friend who claims to have a “kid friendly house”
(with kids of their own) only to find their living room in shambles
littered with trash, objects to be choked on, and things that make
enough noise when touched to bother the friends who those objects
belong to.

But you're right… the key is to set expectations realistically and
to only trust those that, not only have proven to be trustworthy, but
have proven themselves over the long haul.