Thanks Open Eyes

I'm 65, she's 85.

Talking to my aunt the other evening, I bemoaned fact that "at my age I shouldn't have to deal with so much aggro". Her answer "we forget how old you are".

I recognise the bad deal my mother was dealt, being widowed at 25 with two children under 5. Poor choice of next husband, who had few parenting skills.

Perhaps she is trying to cling onto the last vestiges of a life she wanted, not what actually happened.