So it is, and so it shall be

I hope everyone had a happy holiday season. Somehow it just doesn't seem like it should happen so fast and be over already, but here we are almost half way thru the first month of the new year. Damn, that was quick.

Over the holidays one of my dear friends had issues with their relatives. The relatives thought they would get the upper hand and 'show them' by not giving my friend or their kids any gifts. The relative thought this would reflect to my friend how childish they were being towards the relative.

Below is a note my friend sent to the relatives.

"I don't want anything from you that comes with a price. My love isn't to be bought. The kids are fine and didn't notice your family didn't get them anything. They already have plenty, so there's no worries there. Besides relative, you have given them things in the past only to take it away and throw it out. This year you have merely saved yourself the time, energy and hassle of finding gifts, buying, wrapping and giving these things, only to take them away and throw it out later on.

I'm not even sure what to say here, so I shake my head in disgust. I know that in your mind, you think you have 'won', but in reality, you have actually lost a great deal. I know I have lost all respect for you. Please understand that it is not just from this one action but rather a compilation of many similar things you have done. I have watched as over the years, you have turned into such an angry, bitter person. Judging from your past behavior, I don't see that changing any time soon. I choose not to subject my children to that so after some thought, it has been decided we will no longer be attending any family functions. I have made peace with my decision and hopefully in time, you will find peace in your life too."

I can only imagine how bent the relatives were when my friend turned the tables on them. They were likely expecting a fight, not for my friend to take the high road like that and make them look like an ass in the process.