When my granddaughter Sarah announced her wedding, my husband Jim and I were thrilled. But excitement turned to shock when we received a letter from her demanding $5,000 for a vacation. “Pay for it. I hope you saved up enough after years of cheap trash gifts for me,” she wrote. Her words felt like a slap in the face.
Jim and I had always supported Sarah, giving her handmade quilts, heirloom jewelry, and financial help when she needed it. We were hurt by her lack of gratitude. “After everything we’ve done for her?” I asked Jim, my heart breaking. But instead of letting it go, we decided to teach her a lesson in respect and appreciation.
We gathered all the gifts we had ever given Sarah—quilts, jewelry, and other mementos—and donated them to an orphanage. We also withdrew our financial support for her wedding and wrote her a letter, expressing our disappointment. “Love isn’t about material gifts; it’s about valuing the people who care for you,” we wrote.
Sarah was furious and accused us of ruining her life. “You’re cruel!” she screamed over the phone. Some family members sided with her, but others understood our stance. In the end, we stood by our decision, hoping it would help Sarah reflect on her behavior. “Love is not about giving in to every whim; it’s about guiding loved ones to become better people.”
