You know, it’s funny how life changes quickly. My granddaughter Emily went off to college as a sweet, kind girl, but soon transformed to fit in with a glamorous, materialistic crowd.
Emily started wearing more makeup and asking for expensive clothes and the latest gadgets. Her grades slipped, and she began neglecting her old friends. One day, she came to visit and demanded, “Grandma, sell your jewelry so I can go on a trip with my friends.”
Her words cut through me. The jewelry she referred to was a collection of precious gifts from my late husband. “Emily,” I said, “those pieces mean a lot to me. They were gifts from your grandpa.”
Emily retorted harshly, “You’re old, and no one cares about your appearance. I need this trip.”
I knew she wouldn’t just listen to me, so I invited her friends over for tea. While Emily was out of the room, I offered her friends my jewelry if they canceled the trip. They agreed, admitting they never really liked Emily and just wanted her to pay for their expenses.
Emily overheard everything and was devastated. “I changed everything about myself for you,” she sobbed.
I held her tightly. “True friends will never ask you to change who you are. They will love you for who you are.”
Emily apologized, realizing her mistake. She reconnected with her old friends and focused on her studies. It was a hard lesson, but she learned the true value of friendship and self-worth.
