Restricted diet makes dinner parties awkward

Dear Abby: I have multiple chronic health conditions. Because my symptoms are worsened by a lot of foods, I’m on a highly restricted diet. If I stay on it, I feel as well as possible.

When I go to friends’ homes for dinner or parties, would it be rude for me to bring along something for myself that I can eat that won’t make me sick? I can have no grains, no dairy, no eggs, no sugar, the list goes on and on, but I could always bring extra food to share.

I have been eating before I go and then claiming not to be hungry, but I feel it would be rude to do this at dinner parties. What do you suggest I do? I prefer that my health not be a topic of conversation. — Can’t Eat Jack

Dear Can’t: Your health won’t be a topic of conversation at these gatherings if you discuss this with your host(s) at the time you are invited to the party. Explain that you are on a severely restricted diet. Ask if you can bring your own food with you. I’m sure your hosts will understand and tell you to enjoy their hospitality (if not their food) because they welcome your company.

Dear Abby: My biological mother gave me up at birth. Her reason for doing it changes every time I ask. I joined the Navy right out of high school and left the service at 25. Less than a month later, she contacted me. It turns out that I have three half-siblings.

She waited 25 years to contact me, and I was the only one of my siblings she gave up. Does it make me a bad person that I have no emotional connection to my biological family?

— No Feelings in the East

Dear No Feelings: No, it does not. You have built a good life. Please stop feeling guilty for moving forward and living it.