Asking Eric: My sister won’t speak to me since my husband’s diagnosis

Dear Eric: Nearly three years ago, I let my sister know my husband had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. For reasons I don’t understand, she cut off contact with us other than an occasional text. I was heartbroken and begged her to explain what I had done so I could properly apologize.

Before that we had had weekly hour-long phone calls.

I begged her in a series of letters to forgive me and give me another chance. Her response was to send me a series of criticisms via text, saying I was a bully and given to making cutting remarks. I had no idea what she was referring to and asked for examples. She could not come up with anything but advised me to cultivate friendships in my own town.

Almost two years later, I finally received a letter from her asking for forgiveness for hurting me. She s