ArcaMax

You should decide whether you want to independently contact your aunt (I vote yes).

Read: Healing from Family Rifts: Ten Steps to Finding Peace after Being Cut Off from a Family Member," by Mark Sichel, (2004, McGraw Hill).

Dear Amy: My daughter and her husband received a restaurant gift card from my wealthy sister.

They went to pay using the card and the waiter came back to tell them the card had only $2 left on the $50 card.

Because my daughter had just received the card, he told her to call the number on the back of the card.

The company told her that the card was last used in 2015 for $48.

So indeed, my sister, who likes to boast about her wealth, regifted a used gift card!

My daughter asked me for my opinion. I told her that she should call her aunt and tell her, because I am sure she would want to make it right. My daughter says she is afraid to tell her, because she doesn't want to embarrass her. How would you recommend she handle this?

-- Perplexed

Dear Perplexed: Even if your sister "regifted" this card, there is nothing wrong with that, as long as the card contains its stated value. It would be the equivalent of receiving a $50 bill from someone and then giving the bill to someone else. Why does it matter how your sister acquired this card, or how long she has held it?

Your daughter should simply tell her aunt, "When we went to use the card, we found out that it only has $2 value on it. I thought you should know."

Being honest about this will give your sister an opportunity to correct this mistake. It would also spare her your harsh judgment.

Dear Amy: Thank you for your compassionate advice to "Devastated Dad," who was inclined to skip his estranged son's high school graduation. I hope he accepts your gentle nudge not to give up on his son.

-- Grateful Son

Dear Grateful: Healing from an estrangement is a long process. Showing up is the first step.

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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)