goodbyes

I just re-read the hideous abusive emails from my ex friend (see goodbye toxic friend; i've kept them in a folder marked 'bullshit' though really need to delete them) and wondered how somebody who once loved me so much could come to such a foul view of my personality.

I'm basically a kind, good person who tries her hardest to be a good mum and a good person and to do my best even when things are really tough. I've met shitty, bitchy women enough in my life to know that I'm not one of them. I'm not perfect, but I'm not what she accused me of being.

And do I care about being judged this way? I might do under normal circumstances, but not by her, because I've ended up judging her too, as a sanctimonious superior arrogant cruel loser... which is a really sad way to say goodbye after a friendship of seven years.

In the end, we have to say goodbye to everyone in this life though.

It's just a matter of how gently, kindly or diplomatically we do it.

There is an old Chinese proverb which applies well here: 'you can tell the quality of a friend by the elegance of his leavetaking'.