My mom is dying, going to need an ear.

[Abaddon_ire]

I can think of a few people whose deaths I'd never get over.

I admire your ability to cope so well, Brian, and at the same time I'd never expect the pain to go away. And you're coping much better than I would with loss. I don't cope with loss well at all. Although you were clearly a lot closer to your mother than I am to mine. There are several other people I'd be permanently heartbroken to lose though. Respect to you man.

I'm not sure that is true. When my mother passed she was sorely missed, but a decade before it was my privilege to sit in ICU and agree that there was nothing unspoken between us. Happily, she survived those heart attacks and went on to monster life for her remaining ten years. We went skiing, which was unexpected. It was the best of times. We all knew that the clock was ticking, but we also all knew that the clock was counting down to zero. 

So, we made the best of the time that was left to us. And were glad of it. And by "we" I include my siblings.