Conflict can be cleansing for the soul...if someone spent most of their lives avoiding conflict, it stands to reason they might be well clogged up. And perhaps the lesson for someone like that is in the way they express themselves in these new conflicts.
I don't think I'd read your thread before, new, don't know how I missed it. Give you little one a hug for me, please! Our "baby" is ten, and still loves hugs, but it isn't the same!