Just two days ago I received a beautiful (framed) portrait from my best friend, it survived travelling across the world and reached me intact.
yesterday I left it on a chair to go get the tools to hang it on my wall when my son came in/accidently sat on it shattering the glass and destroying my image.
I am so devastated no-one has ever given me a gift so beautiful, I don't know what to do, part of me hasn't the heart to tell him (my pal) the gift is destroyed, because I don't want to hurt him but nor do I wanna lie to him. he had no problem using the few $$ he had to have this done/shipped to me...not to mention the time that was put into it. I am soo
I don't know if I should explain what has happened and offer to send money to have it redone or just keep quiet???
I have already mailed a 'thank you' letter to him!
I'd appreciate your 2c Thanks.

Sorry tiger this happened to you, as i know all so well how it feels. I too was given a gift, a wooden plaque with picture etched and poem written in remembrance of my mums passing. The kids broke it one day while throwing pillows at each other in the family room, i cried and yelled at them, i was so mad i had to leave the room, knowing it was an accident. In the end i was able to fix it because it was made from wood, so i just carefully glued it back together and i too wondered should i speak up knowing the time, patience, effort and thought that went into creating the gift; not to mention the cost of postage, but i did end up speaking out about what happened, i would not of felt good other wise as if i was hiding a secret.

No doubt it will come up in future conversations and if it was me i would not feel good lying about it, so i would be honest and let him know what has happened, how you feel about it all as i am sure your friend will have an understanding even though no doubt he will be upset. Then it gives you both the chance to talk about it being replaced. So my suggestion is share what has happened.

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The last of all freedoms is the ability to choose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances.
G. W. Allport.

Thank you smiley, as much as I dread it, I won't feel good without telling him even though it most possibly will upset/stress him. the plaque was a lovely gesture by your pal aren't they so thoughtful? i'm glad you could glue it, in my case this image is charcoal and irrepairable. kids can drive us beserk I know

Oh noooooo, just the thought of the glass breaking makes me cringe, I'm so sorry but accidents happen and I agree with Smiley, better to explain, at the moment you'll feel devasted but maybe in time it will be one of things you'll look back and laugh at, aaaaaaaah kids, my daughter drew on top of a drawing my pp sent me once I was devasted too, he thought it was funny and sent my daughter a picture to colour in and a new one for me.

Be honest tell him what happened,bet he wont get mad.
That stuff can happen if you're having kids at home.My kids also have broke some stuff my husband has done for me.