Reconnecting with my sister

You will probably have to bite the bullet and apologize, probably best to do it over the phone. Hopefully while your talking, you will remember the good times and have a good conversation. You can start to e-mail,text, and call back and forth, until it's a good time to meet.It will take time, but hopefully it works out.

I have a similar situation with my brother and he lives about 60 miles away yet we still don't meet up. In these days of email, skype etc. it is easy to send messages; however I still find that writing a letter and expressing all that you feel is more powerful and more cathartic for the writer. With a simple letter you can take time to write down exactly how you feel, you can make ammends, you can show your love and so on. It then becomes a physical thing (unlike an email) that the receiver can touch and experience. Pour your heart out in a letter; but do include all your electronic addresses as well! Good Luck

Send a card which simply (not too wordy) says you'd like to reconnect. Include a phone card (so she need not pay long distance fees). Include some favorite photos of the two of you. It might also be a good idea to include your email address, as this may be easier at first.

social networking sites are the best to approach her and mend your relationship......

As a psychology honours graduate I can give you advice on what to do but in the end of the day the method you choose must really suit you and your personality. Genuineness is the key to mending any relationship. Email her, tell her how you feel (if you miss her, tell her so). Since this is an important long term relationship it is better to deal with the underlying issue (the fall out 5 years ago), however you would need to approach this topic cautiously, be yourself yet keep a cool head; apologize... genuinely (after all, you can admit to yourself it was your fault so don't let your pride prevent you from admitting it to her). Stick to feelings (e.g. "when you say that it makes me feel..."), don't criticize or name-call. If you are a hot headed person it would be better to open this matter through email, in that way you can read the email before sending it (and read it from her perspective) to ensure that it does not have an attacking or defensive front and to ensure nothing would be misunderstood. Later you can proceed to calling her etc.

Send a letter and simply say I am sorry...I now know it was my fault. I miss you and love you.
Then see what happens from there. You'll know what to do.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT ,SO I AM VERY GLAD THAT YOU WISH TO RECONNECT WITH YOUR SISTER. SINCE IT HAS BEEN YEARS, I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST SOMETHING WHICH IS, BY MOST PEOPLES STANDARDS, OVER THE TOP. I WOULD GO TO HER. TRAVEL THE WHOLE 500 MILES FOR NO OTHER REASON, BUT TO GIVE HER YOUR APOLOGY & A HUG. I WOULD NOT TELL HER THAT YOU ARE COMMING. I WOULD ASK TRUSTED FRIENDS & FAMILY MEMBERS TO KEEP TABS ON HER WHEREABOUTS & PLANS, SO YOU COULD COORDINATE YOUR VACATION TIME. YES, TAKE A HOLIDAY WITH YOUR SISTER (YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE, ITS WHO YOU'RE WITH) TO SPEND THE TIME TO RECONNECT & CATCH UP. WHEN SHE SEES YOU, & FINDS OUT THAT YOU CAME ALL THE WAY JUST TO SEE HER, WITH THAT, COMBINED WITH A HEART FELT APOLOGY, SHE SHOULD BE MOVED & THE REST SHOULD COME NATURALLY. PEACE & GOOD LUCK !

Write a sincere and heart-felt letter and invite her to meet you halfway to buy her lunch/dinner.

A key aspect is why/what the fall out was about. Generally speaking I'd say the best approach would be to just send a hand written letter and let other members of the family know that you want to reconnect with her and that you're sorry. Eventually it would come down to just calling if she is unresponsive.

Call her up and apologize.

I would say to just call her and explain to her how you have realized that you were at fault, ask for forgiveness and tell her you miss her. If you don't have a number try looking her up on facebook and send her a message if she has facebook of course.

Taking responsibility for our own actions is sometimes half the battle in fixing something. Being willing to accept fault in this situation should help restore the relationship with your sister. The fact that you are interested in reconnecting with her suggests that you miss the old relationship. I recommend writing a “snail mail” letter to her outlining exactly how you feel and admitting the falling out was your fault. Ask for her forgiveness. (Keep a copy of this letter.) Five years is a long time to go without communicating with a sibling; tell her how badly it has felt and how much you have missed her. You could include mention of good times and memories you made together. Wait a reasonable amount of time and if you have not heard back, send another letter. Do not assume she received the first letter. Many times sent snail mails, emails, texts or even voice mails are not received. Start this second letter by saying, “In case you did not receive my last letter.” Most of all -- remain optimistic and Good luck!

First talk to someone who is contact with her. Tell that person your feelings that you want to reconnect and you repent on your mistake. Ask the person to talk to your sister and note down her expressions or what she says. If she is also lenient, give her a call. If she is not, give her a call too. Apologize for your behavior. I am sure she also wants to reconnect with you. You may be apart but your hearts would never be :)

Well you've already taken the first big step; admitting it was your fault.
Take the time to hand write a letter telling her: A)How sorry you are for your mistake B)How much you regret the time y'all have lost & C) Asking her forgiveness. Make sure it includes your phone number in case she doesn't have it and then wait and let her respond. I think you'll find she will be happy to have her sister back.

You must first come to contact with her with phone or mail, (it is best by the phone) and after person to person. Try a peaceful place. Get her some flowers not cheap and something that reminds her your past and beautiful moments you and passed together, like a doll she had from kid or a book you read together. Explain carefully the reasons that you left her and give her some time to think and forgive you if, but not to much cause this that you want, that is going to happen. Be positive about.

Find the root of the problem first. If it is a serious matter, deal with it easy & slowly, no need to rush. Start with a "courtesy" talks once in a week, tell mild jokes about past. the point is, you can't rush in. Do it slowly, and hope for the best. Good luck!

I think you should write her a heart felt letter. A letter is the best way, because you cannot be interrupted. Explain to her how you feel and how you've learned from your mistakes in the past. Tell her how much you miss her, and ask for her forgiveness so you can start rebuilding your relationship now. Don't make excuses, be honest & speak from the heart. Try to keep it positive, try not to spark too many negative feelings. When you're finished, read it back to yourself, but imagine you are in her position & see how you feel before you send it. I hope this helps....

Hi there,

Wow, family situations are difficult sometimes. I'm glad to hear that you've decided to take the first step in reconnecting with her. This had to be hard for you.

My advice would be to try and approach her first by writing and sending a well thought-out letter. I think this will come across as more genuine and heartfelt than an email. It also shows that you've taken the time to think things through, write your feelings out on paper and mail the letter.

This should be the first means of communication and hopefully she will write you back or contact you once she's read the letter. Everything that happens from there is really up to her.

I wish you the best of luck!

Kim :-)