I am angry with my insensitive friend

At Christmas I received a round-robin letter from a friend telling everyone how much her daughter was enjoying university and how her son was the lead in the school play. She then went on to tell us how much she and her brilliant children are doing for charity because they want to give back. I was so angry that I ripped it up, shoved it in the bin and burst into tears. I have a 16-year-old daughter with a debilitating mental-health condition for whom it is a major achievement just to get through each day, and my life is hell. I know my friend means well but her letter seemed so insensitive and smug. Now she has suggested a girls’ night out with mutual friends (some of whom are much more sympathetic), but I have made my excuses. She’s not a bad person but I simply don’t want to see her at the moment. Do you think I should confide in one of our mutual friends about how difficult I am finding this woman’s well-meaning but thoughtless approach? I still feel so much rage when I think about her letter and I suppose I want to know if anyone else feels the same, but I don’t want to be a b **** . I’m so sorry. It must be such an awful time for you and you have my every sympathy with your daughter. It is very distressing for parents when they have a child with a serious mental-health issue. I think your rage is entirely understandable. I can also appreciate why you don’t want to see this friend at the moment and I think it’s wise to duck out of the girls’ night as you would probably hate it. Yes, I think that you can confide in another member of the group, but do it very carefully and face-to-face, not by text or email. Choose one whom you know to be really kind and suggest a drink or a coffee. Gently explain to her exactly what you have told me. The fact that you are generous enough to feel that your friend means well but that she is simply a bit crass and insensitive already shows that you are not a b **** at all, only how very much you are up against at the moment. I am sure your friend will understand and it might help you to share this. At times of crisis, it is important to surround yourself where possible with only those who get it. Other friendships can be picked up again further down the line (if you still want them).