I spent years disliking my husband’s grandmother. She was more of a mother to him than his own, so she was the woman I shared him with the most. I found her meddlesome, hateful and hard-headed. I bucked her at every turn. Even though my husband always took my side when I was annoyed, it was never enough for me. Every little thing about her would tick me off.
She would offer advice I found so ludicrous that I would purposely do the opposite. Then, one day, for the sake of my husband, I decided to “fake” it. I pretended to like her. I smiled, laughed, was agreeable and was the most pleasant “me” I could be. When she offered leftovers, I took them. I typically threw them away on the way home, but it made her feel great to give them to me. I started asking her for help, like babysitting for an hour, or asking for a recipe I really didn’t need. And guess what? We became friends and I fell in love with her. For YEARS, I could barely tolerate her, yet in a few short months, I went from disdain to calling her MY grandmother. I wanted to talk to her and be around her. I really loved her.
I still mourn her, even though she passed away several years ago. I regret not “faking” it sooner, but I am so glad I didn’t wait longer than I did. Thank you for telling us to smile. Thank you for telling us to do what we would want our in-laws to do for us. Without that advice, I may have never gotten to know one of my very best friends.
Danielle
I Disliked My Husband’s Grandmother
