Not Able To Go

Just rec'd an invitation to attend my son-in-laws birthday party which is being held more than five hours away from where I live. I won't be able to go as I have a prior engagement. I will be attending a Catechetical Conference and it is important as it will help me keep my Certification as a Religious Education teacher. I feel really bad about not being able to go but both hubby and I would not be able to go so far away without staying in a hotel. The budget right now does not have the funds for a hotel expense and we could not drive back and forth both ways. So even if I didn't have a prior engagement, we would still not be able to attend. I had to send my daughter an email saying we would not be attending. Life sure does hold many disappointments, but it is how we handle these that is important. I told her I would be with them in spirit and I will pray that they have a wonderful party.