The story of a mother's life: Trapped between a scream and a hug.

This is a business meal. The calories do not count. I am mentally labeling these as 'business calories' so my body will know they were eaten in the line of duty and will process them differently.

Mothers send strips to daughters to make a point. Daughters smack strips down on the breakfast table to make a point. My own mom sometimes cuts a strip out and sends it to me to make sure I understand her.

When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye.

Each of us wages a private battle each day between the grand fantasies we have for ourselves and what actually happens.

Men date. Women have relationships.

Imagine my surprise when, after a lifetime of teaching me to keep personal things to myself, Mom insisted my drawings were the start of a comic strip for millions of people to enjoy.