Wait wasn’t that because Neal/Rumple were cursed along with everyone else? So he would also not remember anything about that missing year like everyone else. Which was why the convo between him and Hook about the message was a bit vague. Neal didn’t know HE was the one who sent it because he couldn’t remember. Right?
That entire hospital scene between Hook and Neal was very confusing to me. I also thought the reason Neal couldn’t remember merging with his dad was due to him being cursed to forget the missing year along with everyone else, besides Zelena and Hook. Yet, Neal thanked Hook for getting the message to Emma, suggesting he remembered sending the bird during the missing year. Then again, he didn’t remember bringing back his dad from the dead, paying the price with his life, or being absorbed either. Very confusing and poorly written.
"That’s how you know you’ve really got a home. When you leave it, there’s this feeling that you can’t shake. You just miss it." Neal Cassidy