It started with a phone call by my sister -in -law, Abby.
“Hey, Becca, did you check the social media today your mother -in -law?” She asked and her voice had fun. I frown, confused. “No, why?” I asked. “You should,” she laughed. “She published a lesson all morning about” learning ungrateful people “.
I had no idea what he was talking about – only a few hours later, when Darlene appeared at our Prague, her face red with fury, three big empty bags in his hand. And then everything got out of control.
“Mom, you took all the Christmas gifts of all your grandchildren just because you didn’t get your purse. You now face the consequences of the little thing. ”
Darlene tried to apologize, but Mark was not willing to listen.
When Rebecca’s father -in -law, Darlene suddenly appeared and took back all the Christmas gifts she gave her grandchildren, Rebecca was left completely amazed. Later she and her husband Mark discovered a shocking reason for her actions – Darlene did it to “teach them a lesson”. But Karma had her own lesson for her.
I am the mother of three energy young children. For Christmas, my father-in-law, Darlene, gave them some amazing gifts-LEGO gifts, a set of princess castles and stylish new clothes. The children were absolutely enthusiastic, playing nonstop with their new toys and showing their clothes excitedly.
But only two days later, Darlene appeared at our door and clutched three big empty bags. Her face was reddish with red anger and seemed to be going to explode.
“Darlen, hello,” I greeted her, surprised. “What’s the matter?”
Did not answer. Instead, she walked past me into the living room where the children played happily.
Without a word, she began to collect everything she gave them – toys, clothes, even those that were still in the laundry. She filled everything into her bags.
“You will regret what you did,” she murmured coldly, murmuring the last bag with the final finality.
Then she went out and slammed the door behind her.
The children were destroyed. I tried to comfort them, but honestly, I had no idea what to say.
When my husband, Mark, returned home from work, I explained everything to him.
He immediately called his mother, but did not answer. He sent her several texts – no answer. Darlene completely interrupted the road and left us in the dark about what triggered such an outrageous stuntman.
Three days later Mark finally got her on the phone.
“You have to make fun of me,” he sighed after listening to her.
When he hung up, he looked at me in disbelief.
“What? What did she say?” I asked.
“She’s upset about her Christmas present,” he replied.
Darlene seemed to expect an expensive designer handbag – the one she dropped throughout the year. Instead, we gave her a $ 250 gift card to her favorite store. According to her, it was absolutely unacceptable.
I was at a loss for words.
“So she took back gifts for kids?” What’s wrong with her? “I asked, shocked.
Mark nodd.
“Yeah. She said we didn’t respect her with a gift card and that we had a few days to fix it.” Because we didn’t do it, she decided to “learn a lesson” by taking gifts for children. “
We were frantically, but we didn’t want to let Darlene’s anger destroy Christmas for our children.
That weekend we plunged into our savings and bought replacements for all the toys she took. It wasn’t easy for our budget, but when I saw the kids smiling to make it worth every penny.
As for Darlene? Karma had her own plans for her.
A few days later Mark’s cousin Abby called some unexpected news.
“Did you hear what your mom did?” She asked, barely detaining laughter.
“Yeah, we know everything about her behavior,” Mark said. “What is so funny?”
“Well,” Abby continued, “she braided her family about how she taught you a lesson.” But one of her friends – one who participates in this charity organization. “
“Caritas?” Mark asked, confused.
I had a bad feeling where it was going.
“Yeah,” Abby said. “Her girlfriend was totally frightened by what Darlene did.” The things she took from the children? She went and gave her to charity. Dirty laundry and everything! The word spread quickly and now people reduce bonds with it. ”
Mark was shocked to me.
“Wait … So people actually turn her?”
“Yes. And that’s not even the best part,” Abby added.
“What do you mean?” I asked, curious.
Abby laughed.
“Well, your beautiful Aunt Darlene was unleashed from the New Year’s Gala.” Do you know, an event he looks forward to every year? The one that boasts a non-stop? Yes. He is no longer welcome. ”
Darlene adored the gala more than anything else – that was the peak of her year. And when she knew how much she was looking forward to it, it was the final social humiliation.
After Abby ended the call, Mark shook his head.
“It serves to the right,” he murmured. “She deserved it.” And she was giving out clothes for children? Without washing them first? Incredible.”
“Let’s just have dinner with the children and forget Darlene for the night,” I said exhausted.
A week later, Darlene called Mark and sounded desperately.
“Everyone turned against me,” she sobbed. “I don’t understand what I did wrong!”
Mark’s answer was firm.
“If you want to have a relationship with my wife and children, you have a lot to fix.” And for the record – my children are incredible. If you lose them, it’s up to you, Mom. ”
In the end, we sat down with our children and assured them that their grandmother’s actions were not their mistake.
“She was angry with my mom and me, not you,” Mark explained. “You did not do anything wrong.”
In the end, Darlene tried to teach us a lesson that was spectacular. She had her own pettyness destroyed her relationship with her grandchildren and, as a result, faced the social consequences of her actions. While we made sure our children still have a joyful Christmas, Darlene found he isolated, lacked the events and connections she appreciated most.
This experience has strengthened an important lesson for us – generosity comes without expectations and relationships based on love and respect more than material. While we left the door open for Darlene to change, it was up to her to decide whether she was willing to change. As far as we are concerned, we decided to focus on our children and happiness of our family, and Darlene had the consequences of her own decisions.