Call your Mom...

You are watching someone on television who is realizing his 60 seconds of fame in an interview or other short blurb. What does he say?

"Hi, Mom!"

And of course, there is the one about the boat... Imagine you are in a boat with your sister, your child, your mother and your friend...and it's going down. You can only save one other person. Who do you save? The "correct" answer is "your mother" because, no matter what, you can only have one of those, and you will never get another.

Whether you agree with that or not (and I don't; sorry mom, I would have to save my child...it's the mom in me), we can't deny the power of our mothers. If we are lucky, they are the center of our universe, at least during early years. Mothers shape us; they mold us by telling us what to do and how to do it, but more importantly, they mold us by example. They teach us how to love without condition. They teach us values; they teach us the value of ourselves. Who is on your side if not your mother? Who cheers for you, encourages you, supports you, rallies for you, believes in you when no one else does? And what happens when your biggest advocate disappears from your life?

My dear friend's mom died last night, and I cried for her today. My friend is younger than me by several years, and I think about what my life would have been like if I had not had my mom to turn to over the past decade. How many times have I called Mom for advice, or just to have her listen? And who would I call if I didn't have her? Probably no one.

I know not everyone has the same relationship with her mother that I do. But Carla did. They were friends. They shared the journey and the joy of raising her children, just as my mom does with me. They enjoyed each other's company. They helped each other through the muddle and the muck.

And now Jane is gone, and so is a little piece of my friend, Carla. I think I'll wipe away these tears and go call my mom. Maybe you should, too.