My mom smiled at me. Her smile kind of hugged me.

We smile but I want more. I want her to hug me.

Such a simple thing, kindness. Such a simple thing. A nice word of encouragement, given when needed. An act of friendship. A passing smile.

I laugh with them because it is one of the worst things to be in a room full of people and not laughting when everybody else is.

Answer to all problems - Hug your mom!

There is always the fantasy of maternal love, but it does not accommodate a mother's fear of her children.