One summer when I was elementary-school aged, my mom needed to talk to dad who was working in the fields on the tractor and, being our mailbox, a mile from home would be close by we’d get the mail while out too. When we arrived, the mail hadn’t come but she asked if I would like to wait at the mailbox for the mailman while she walked the short distance to where dad was in the field. I gladly decided to stay at the mailbox and wait. Soon enough, the mailman arrived. In addition to giving me the mail, he offered me a stick of gum. What kid wouldn’t accept that?! I opened the wrapper and didn’t hesitate to fold the tasty stick into my mouth. Once the mailman pulled away and I was alone, shame and guilt came over me like a heavy weight. “How could I be so selfish?” I thought. A ritual between my mom and I was for her to offer me a stick of gum but she would rip one in half. One for her and one for me. When the guilt and shame came over me, I realized that I never thought of my dear mother....