I wondered who the caller was when my phone’s ringtone pierced through the air that sunny morning. After the usual pleasantries, my sister went straight to the point. Part of the reason she called was to tell me about the demise of an old auntie and the funeral arrangements.

As she related the tales that surrounded my aunt’s life and death I couldn’t help myself. I half-listened half-thinking of the last time I saw my aunt.

The aunt in question was a distant cousin to my father. I grew up with dozens of aunts and uncles whole spaces on my family tree were difficult to locate. However, as part of the family rules, everyone was family and deserved equal treatment.

I felt no emotion to the news nor the rambling at the other end of the call. I was indifferent and I couldn’t pretend to care. In my aunt’s case, I felt nothing.