Two days before Christmas, my sister lost her husband and 13-year-old son in an accident. She asked me to cancel the big party I was hosting, but I refused, saying she couldn’t ruin the holidays for everyone else. During the party, while we were making a toast, I heard a crash from my baby’s room.

When I went in, I was shocked to find my sister’s son helping her pack my toddler’s clothes and toys—items she had lent me from her late son. She tearfully told me I didn’t deserve them and that I wasn’t worthy of her family. The guests overheard, and I’m sure they left thinking I was a bad person. Was I wrong to prioritize the party while my sister was grieving?