DEAR HARRIETTE: I am graduating from medical school this spring. I have invited both of my parents, my siblings, and so far, only one set of my grandparents. I am very close with my paternal grandparents, but not close at all with my maternal grandparents. Is it OK for me to invite only one set of grandparents to my graduation, or should I invite both and skip the drama and backlash? What would you do in this situation? I want to go about it so the fewest number of people get hurt, but I also want to be happy since it is my graduation. -- Grandparents at Graduation, Memphis, Tennessee
DEAR GRANDPARENTS AT GRADUATION: You should invite all of the grandparents. You will not want to have it on your conscience that you excluded your maternal grandparents. Given that you are not close, they may decide not to come. But if they do attend, be sure to pay attention to them as well as the rest of the family. You can also ask your family to look out for them.
Graduating from medical school is a tremendous accomplishment. You should be happy. Your family will be proud of you -- including all of your grandparents.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)