My Aunt Debby died this weekend.

My Aunt Debby, the wife of my Dad's brother Peter, died this past weekend. She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer over 3 years ago.

My parents and my Dad's two brothers are estranged. Bad blood... don't think anyone will call a truce in the next twenty years.

I personally haven't spoken or seen anyone from their family since their daughter, Jessica, my cousin had her own child die. He had been born sick and lived to be 18 months old.

That baby's funeral was the saddest thing I'd ever seen. It was even more difficult because I was 7 months pregnant with Wade and I knew that seeing me pregnant wasn't going to be easy for Jessica.

I was a wreck... she completely shunned me and wouldn't even hug me.

It was the last time I've seen any of them.

It is sad that during her lifetime, she (and my Uncle and cousins) never, not even once, made my family feel welcome. It was always a troubling relationship... but, I'm afraid, it is never to get any better.

My parents won't attend her funeral and I'm sure that my uncle will never forgive my Dad for not showing up.

I would bet any money that if my Dad DID show up, he'd be asked to leave.

He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

May she rest in peace.