Sheilasue, I am so very, very sorry. It's something I could not possibly imagine, so fortunate that I am.
I deeply loved my first iLs, I was the daughter they never had. I had a deep and meaningful relationship with them until the day they died. Their funerals were the saddest days of my life.
Despite divorcing their son 11 years earlier we were all on Esther Ranzen, with my 2nd husband as well. It was a programme about MiLs, she wasn't very interested in us as we were so obviously happy together! She just wanted women to diss their MiLs.
They came to family dos, and meals with both my second and third husbands. My daughter's wedding was hilarious. In the first row was myself, my 3rd husband, son and first husband (father of my children) his 3rd wife. All English, except 3rd wife who is Phillipinno. Behind us was my 2nd husband, Indian. My English 1st in laws, MiL by this time was so anti 2nd husband that asked my best friend (French) and her husband (Chinese) to sit between them. Talk about United Nations, SiLs family and parent's friends looked on aghast!
I never had an Indian MiL, would have loved to, but she was in Pakistan and I never got there before she died a couple of years into our relationship. 3rd husband's mother was also absolutely lovely.
My 1st MiL was such an example, that I hope I h ave turned into a good MiL. I get on extremely well with my DiL who adores my son, given me a wonderful DGD. I am always welcome to stay when I go back to England. She has also insisted on most visits that DS and I have time on our own. Her mother is also lovely and is a very good MiL to my son.
Once when my son had medical problems my DiL was very concerned about me and was preparing to take second place. I firmly told her that she was now the most important woman in his life. She looked quite shocked! Love her to bits, like a second daughter. When she was much younger she often asked for my advice, which I took as a huge compliment. Now she is older and a wonderful mother and career woman she doesn't need my advice but we can have long conversations about important things.