“Mother Load”
Editorial Illustration
Mother's Day is a reminder of our moms, or our friends' moms, our grandmothers or aunts, and beloved mothers of page and screen.

My own mother carried with dignity the weight of heavy losses, including the death of a beloved sister and, much later, my brother Greg. She did a lot of the parenting in a household where Dad was often traveling. She carried a lot of love, too.

Mom was a model of patience, elegance and beauty. Safe to say no one will accuse me of being the apple that fell close to the tree on those fronts, but I like to think I brought her affection and kindness along when I had my own kids.