I have often wished in the past few years that my mom were here to help me as I raised my own teenage son. As a girl, with my own mom, I thought I knew it all; now I know better. Somewhere, I know my mom is smiling.

To those who are here, those who are gone, and those who are lost.

I guess no one stays friends for more than thirty years without broken hearts along the way.

When you're a mom, you learn about fear. You're always afraid. Always. About everything from cupboard doors to kidnappers to weather.

Some stories don't have happy endings. Even love stories. Maybe especially love stories.

Their friendship was more important than any relationship. Guys would come and go; girlfriends were forever.

As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.