WE LOSE THE PERSON WHO REJOICES IN OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
AND AGONIZES IN OUR STRUGGLES.

THE PERSON WHO THINKS WE SHOULD WIN EVERY RACE, AND SUCCEED AT EVERY JOB.

THE PERSON WHO'S FIRST URGE IS TO PROTECT, SHELTER, AND GUIDE US.

THE PERSON WHO KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR US, OR THINKS SHE DOES.

THE PERSON WHO BRAGS ABOUT US IN OUR ABSENCE AND OFFERS EXPERT ADVICE IN OUR PRESENCE.

IN SUM, WE LOSE OUR BIGGEST FAN, AND OUR MOST ARDENT DEFENDER.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE DEEPEST OF MYSTERIES TO ME, THAT OUR MOTHERS HAVE THE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF US AS A BABY, AND AS A CHILD, THAT WE WILL NEVER HAVE ACCESS TO AT ALL.

IT IS AS THOUGH A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF US HAS EXISTED ONLY IN OUR MOTHERS MEMORY.

AND WHEN OUR MOTHERS DIE THIS PART OF US WILL DIE TOO.

WE MAY HAVE LIVED ENOUGH YEARS TO BE AN ADULT, BUT WE WILL ALWAYS BE A CHILD IN RELATION TO OUR PARENTS.

IT IS THE PARENT OF OUR YOUTH THAT WE BURY