Honestly, I was half expecting her to reject me, considering the mood she'd been in lately. But I couldn't help myself and, when Mom's arms clutched me close, her familiar voice whispering in my ear soothing sounds mothers make when their children need comfort, it almost made things worse. I took a long few minutes to just hug her and cry and reconnect to the mom I loved so much while she not only allowed it, she encouraged me.

When I finally pulled away, snuffling and ...