I am related by marriage to one of the big old Birmingham UK families, and at any family event, there are always aunts and uncles, cousins, and nephews, and nieces to catch up with.

This afternoon, I attended a family funeral, and as is always the case it was a big family gathering.

At the wake after the funeral, I mingled, chatted, and caught up with all the relatives there. Cousins, nephews and nieces, and friends and neighbours of the family.

But there was not a single uncle and aunt there.

And then it suddenly dawned upon me, there are none still alive (incorrect - there are two aunts left, but in their 90's and too ill to attend)

The older generation who we respected, looked up to, and turned for guidance are all gone, and now my generation is the oldest and the ones who family will look up to and turn to.

I am so not ready for that.