My Mother's sister was a brilliant student and I've always enjoyed the discussions we had during the rare times we got together. (we lived at opposite ends of the continent) My Mother occasionally alluded to her achievements, but I didn't realize the extent of them until I visited their alma mater with my Mother a few years ago and saw my aunt's name mentioned so often.

Does this diminish my mother in my eyes? Hardly. She made a significant contribution to our lives (me and my siblings) and her community. She hardly had an easy road in life but made the best of it. Looking at my aunt's family (my cousins) I realize that we are so much luckier. None of the squabbling and petty jelousies that characterize their relationships.

You can only do your best and nobody should judge you unfairly for that.