DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister is a year older than me, and we grew up very close. We were roommates in college, and our kids were even born within the same year. When I moved away to a different state, we gradually grew apart.
When our kids were younger, we would spend holidays together, but now our kids are older and they all have their own lives. There's a lot of tension between my sister and me because I know she feels a bit excluded. What makes things more challenging is that when I do reach out to her, she seems to be upset with me. I would like to rebuild and strengthen my relationship with my sister. Life is too short to fight with the people you love. How can I fix our strained relationship? -- Sister Problems
DEAR SISTER PROBLEMS: Ask your sister to have an honest talk with you. Invite her to tell you what’s going on with her. Point out that she always seems to be upset with you when you talk, and you want peace in your relationship. Coax out of her what’s really going on. Whatever comes up, try to address it head-on. Remind her that you love her and her children and want more than anything to work together to release the tension and reclaim the tight bond you once shared.
(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.)