Dear Eric: I recently discovered that I have a half-sister who lives nearby. However, I have not reached out to her yet. She was born before my parents got married and was put up for adoption by my dad and another woman. Should I wait until my mom passes before contacting her? My parents are in their 80s, and my mom has health issues. I feel like if they wanted us to know about her, they would have told us already. What should I do? – Newfound Sister
Dear Sister: It’s important to reach out now. While you may never fully understand why your parents kept your half-sister a secret, you have the opportunity to build a connection with her. Don’t wait for your mom’s passing. Start a new relationship with your half-sister now. – Eric
Instagram Hashtags: #FamilyConnection #SecretSister #ReachOutNow
Dear Eric: I have been holding onto a grudge for 70 years because my best friend’s parents didn’t invite me to her birthday party. Even though she reached out to me later in life, I couldn’t bring myself to reconnect. What should I do? – Still Hurt Friend
Dear Friend: It’s understandable to still feel hurt about what happened. Consider talking to your friend for closure and healing. Release the resentment and allow yourself to move on from this painful experience. You deserve to let go of the past. – Eric
Instagram Hashtags: #Forgiveness #Closure #LetGo
Dear Eric: My future son-in-law never says thank you for the gifts and gestures of kindness I extend to him. How can I address this without creating conflict? – Thankless Gift Giver
Dear Gift Giver: Communicate to your son-in-law how important acknowledgment is to you. Help him understand that expressing gratitude is a way of showing love and appreciation. By setting this expectation, you can strengthen your relationship and avoid any misunderstandings. – Eric
Instagram Hashtags: #Gratitude #FamilyValues #LoveAndAppreciation
(For more advice, contact R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110.)