Steve,
I think you nailed it on the head. I wish I knew how to do quotes on here but you said:
"What they are saying is, I pronounce you are faking it so that I won't have to make any emotional investment at all".
OOOOOhhh, I have watched that come to fruition so many times. Those who walk their talk and those that don't. This is my mom. If she really believed it, then she would have to fly up here and help take care of me sometimes instead of letting my M.I.L. help me out all of the times that I can't do for myself.
Some can't stand for any attention to be taken from them.
I'm sure your aunt has some jealousy issues if this is what you discern from her. Maybe she is jealous of the wonderful family that you have and all that you have accomplished regardless of the diseases affecting everyone. If you sit down and confront these people, they will usually back down and tell you what is eating at them. You have to be the tough one and nail it down or just let them go but if it keeps affecting you, Trish, you just sit her down, one on one and approach her with love and kindness even though she might deserve it right now.
I have been surprised many times by what people tell me that they have been keeping in and it is usually something so hurtful that when someone notices them acting up they are ready to spill their beans and tell you what is really going on. I hope this helps as it sounds like you are really hurt by her.
