My sister’s husband and 13-year-old son tragically passed away in an accident just two days before Christmas. She asked me to cancel the large party I had planned, but I told her, “I’m sorry, but you can’t take away the holidays for everyone else. I understand you’re grieving, but we can’t let that stop the joy for others.” She didn’t respond and stayed silent.

During the party, while we were making a toast, a loud crashing sound came from my baby’s room. I rushed to see what was happening and was horrified to find my sister’s red suitcase in the hallway. When I entered the room, I froze-her surviving son was helping her pack up my toddler’s clothes and toys. These were the items she had lent me when I had my child, as they had belonged to her late son. Through tears, my sister said I didn’t deserve them and that she was taking back everything that had been her boy’s. It was clear she was on the edge of a breakdown, and she accused me of being a terrible sister who didn’t deserve her or her family. By then, the commotion had drawn the attention of my other guests, and I’m sure they all left thinking I was heartless. Was I wrong for choosing to host the party despite my sister’s grief?

Becca