Like you, I have never had children. I’ve always felt I have had many children in many past lives and in this life, it’s not about children. I’ve had (and continue to have) other important things to do. My guess is that you do, too.

I support you in the notion that it is important to spend as much time with your mother as possible. My mother lived a thousand miles away the last nine years before she died and I made a point of talking with her on the telepone every week or so and going back to Illinois to see her for more than a couple of days at least once a year. She’s been gone fourteen years and I’m glad I did that. I doubt that she and I would have made great roommates and I’ve no doubt that having your mother living with you can be challenging at times. But I also doubt you’ll later regret having had this time with her.

Melanie