My mother raised my sister and me alone after my father died. She ended up a hoarder and penniless. Two years ago, she gave her last raspy breath as her eyes looked at me unable to speak because her throat was wrecked by not having eaten for three weeks because she wanted to die. I will always love my mother. She gave me everything. I know that now. Whatever “creepy” love I have for my mother means I recognized her sacrifice for me.