shame. Don't think about what your sister may have thought or said when she read them. What she thinks about your journal entries does not matter.

Indeed, if there is any shame here, she should feel it. If she did read and share your private entries, it shows a profound lack of character. When an adult mocks the thoughts and emotions of a child in this way, it shows that the adult is missing something or feeling a deficiency in some way. It's not a reflection of you. You have nothing of which to be ashamed.

Dear Eric: I have a relative whose son graduated recently. My brother and I were invited to the graduation and then to dinner afterwards. The graduate suddenly got sick and didn't want to go.

He eventually ended up going to his graduation. I was told that his celebration dinner would be at a later time. It's been almost three weeks, and no date has been set as of yet. I am beginning to wonder if they had it without my brother and me. I was wondering if this is the right way to act. Is it somehow rude to invite someone to something and then cancel and say we will reschedule the dinner without saying anything?

- Uninvited Family

Dear Uninvited: While the scenario you describe is certainly possible, it doesn't seem like the most likely. Planning a celebratory dinner, especially with extended family, might pose a logistical challenge. Or the family might have simply gotten waylaid by other plans. The simplest way to ease your mind is to reach out and ask about the alternate date and reaffirm your interest in joining, if you are still interested in joining.

If you have reason to believe that this family might have purposefully excluded you - like, for instance, a past pattern of behavior - it might be a good idea to address the root issue first. Are you sensing a conflict with these relatives? Do you feel their invitations are begrudgingly offered? Do you even want to attend their gatherings? This whole thing could be nothing, but if you aren't feeling secure in the relationship you have with them, it's healthy to sort those feelings out for yourself and then talk it out with them. This way, the next time there's a special occasion or an invitation, you'll be sure that it's genuine.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)

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