Dear Rebecca:
I am glad for you and for your mom that you two have a close, honest, positive relationship as adults. This is wonderful. As such you two can comfort each other when either one of you needs comfort. In an airlane the insturctions about putting on the oxygen mask in time of trouble is that you put it first on yourself and second on your loved one, so that you have the oxygen you need to help another. Similarly, I hope you endure the pain in life- the pain that is part of life- in such a way that it doesn’t overwhelm you, in such a way that you take care of your self interest first.

I hope you post again.
anita