DEAR ABBY: I am a first-generation Mexican American who married into a Caucasian blended family. My husband, my stepdaughter, “Lisa,” and her mother and stepfather make up a beautiful unit. I have no children. Although my family initially ruffled at my interracial marriage, they got with the program — so much so that we invited Lisa to partake in a coming-of-age rite, the quinceañera. We were excited to update and modify it as much as possible so all sets of parents, grandparents and other family could be involved.
Suddenly, when Lisa was 14 — a year before the quinceañera, when planning should be ramped up, not down — my extended family went into radio silence. Despite our attempts to encourage, coach and generate excitement, we were led to believe Lisa had gotten cold feet and was reconsidering the event.
