Dear Annie: I'm struggling with a painful situation involving my sister. About a year ago, she abruptly stopped speaking to me, and there was no discussion or clear explanation about why this happened. Since then, she has kept her distance not just from me but also from our entire family. She's excluded us from all major family gatherings, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays.

This past year has been especially difficult because I was undergoing cancer treatments. Throughout that time, she never reached out -- not even once. Despite living just a short drive away, she didn't call, visit or offer any support. Her silence has been incredibly hurtful, particularly because I have no idea what triggered this rift between us.