Hi Lizzy67, I can imagine it's very difficult and upsetting to have had "the door slammed in your face" by your Dil like this with no real explanation of the "terrible crime?????" you must have committed to be treated like this.
You appear to have some contact with your son but obviously he will be in an awkward position as he obviously will be listening to her grievances about you and also your natural anger at all the unnecessary misunderstanding.
When you say "this woman and her kids" your anger shows clearly. Are the children not your Gc? It dosn,t sound like it, otherwise I'm sure that you would walk through fire, eating humble pie to be able to see them.
It is really difficult for your son, so for his sake could you not make a huge effort to bury your anger and be the first to apologize to Dil for anything you may have done to upset her. Ask her to please forgive you, you could even hug her and squeeze out a tear or two (please stop gritting your teeth
) and try to get the family back together.
Take her out for lunch or something or ask if you can go round when she's time to talk. If you have moved away, book into a hotel nearby for a night and ask her round for a few drinks. Try to see her point as well, she's a younger person who obviously has been hurt a lot by a misunderstanding. Feel compassion for her, try to see her as a daughter.
Listen, I do understand, I could strangle my Dil sometimes and she has sometimes pissed me off but I don't retaliate as I know I will be the loser, my son would take her side. I go completely the other way and show lots of affection to her and actually she IS a nice girl, so I try to love her as I do my Dd.
Whatever you decide to do, you need to be at peace with the decision that you make, otherwise this will eat away at you.