You probably don't know of any extended family that doesn't have rifts within it, some of long standing. Sometimes these things start out small, and then become like the Grand canyon, separating parents and children, brothers and sister,s in-laws, cousins. It's a great tragedy, but a tragedy that can be undone.
You put yourself on the line every time you say in the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." It contradicts everything to say about some people, "I'll never forgive them" ... and then to pray, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
Forgiveness is how God treats you. That's why it's so difficult (but also so satisfying) to forgive - it's acting as God would.
Forgiving someone is a good way to start the new year.
And God will help you to forgive.
- Little Blue Book, Diocese of Saginaw