Julie, ... Mike was correct in that losing one's Mother is one of the more horrible experiences we go through in this life. It's like getting a kick in the gut, but, you won't realize the full extent of that statement until one day, without thinking, you pick up the phone to call her and tell her something, or you see the perfect Mother's Day card that you can't buy for her, or you get worried about something and you need her sage advice, or you get sick or hurt and you wish that you had your Mom there to kiss you and make it all better.
The most perfect thing I've ever read is that "Your Mother is the only one who can sing your favorite song and quiet the thunder".