It’s not easy for me to forgive my sister. It’s been seven long years since the incident that ended our relationship. Each day is a new day of hurt and longing to be back in the family’s good graces. Each day I relive that fateful day and I get angry all over again.

First I should mention, my resentment had been building up for years. My sister has alternately ignored me or been mean to me since we were toddlers. There was never any of that sisterly love or loyalty I saw between other sisters – I wish there was. But I accept it now, and it hurts.

Lauren is the oldest of us kids, I‘m next by two years, Mark is two years younger than me and Donald is one year younger than Mark.

Lauren played the little mom to Mark and then Donald growing up. The three of them have always been close. I am “odd man out.”

It was my sophomore year in college when I met my husband Steven. I introduced him to my family Thanksgiving of that year. He noticed Lauren’s attitude right away.

“What’s up with your sister?” He asked.

“She’s doesn’t get me.” I replied.

“Her loss.” Steven said as he gave me a hug with an extra squeeze.

And so it went, going to family functions facing the indifference and sharp tongue of my sister but this time with an ally by my side.

I have a good life partner who supports me through thick and thin. He stands by my side when family squabbles. He speaks up to defend me when I am on the receiving end of my family’s unjust accusations.

It never occurred to me Steven could be at the center of Lauren’s wrath until that dark December day when my sister dealt a deadly blow to our relationship.

Here’s how it came down.

Lauren’s father-in-law died. Chuck was a jerk when he lived and became the catalyst to our family’s break-up when he died.

Steven and I were at the funeral home sitting next to my cousins as the funeral director came to the podium to address the large group attending the funeral.

“The following men will serve as pall bearers, Mark Lane, Donald Lane…” On he went naming five others. Steven was not among those called to serve.

I gasped. My cousins consoled me. Proof that this grand insult was not in my imagination, it was out there for the world to see.

My loving husband did what he always does, he shared my...READ MORE