Letter is best way to end estrangement with sister Either because I’m turning 50 this year, or maybe it’s old-fashioned guilt, I have been feeling the right thing to do is to make amends. Should I write a letter, send an e-mail or call her? If you call your sister, her knee-jerk reaction might be to hang up. Tell her you love her, miss her and are sorry for the estrangement. For the past few years, my mother, with whom I spend my birthday every year, has gotten into the habit of buying my birthday presents the day of. [...] she tends to spend more than I think she should. Your mother may not be as emotionally invested in birthday celebrations as you are. Please help me with a good comeback or a little white lie to keep me off the dance floor! Dear Can’t Dance: I suppose the most common little white lie would be to plead a sprained ankle. [...] a more honest reply would be to thank the person and say you prefer not to because you’re not comfortable on the dance floor.