Some days I just want to call my mom. Do you know that feeling? Do you understand that sometimes it’s nice just to be able to call without purpose, when your shared history is all you need to begin a conversation?

For me, these moments are often associated with memories: the day I am making my grandmother’s spaghetti sauce; the cold mornings when I’m having a hot cup of tea; the days my boys do or say something that reminds me of my little brother, when he really was little—these are the days I pick up the phone.

And I’m very thankful that I still can.

A friend’s mom died from lung cancer last year. Another died from breast cancer earlier this year. My mother-in-law lost one of her dearest friends to the terrible disease, too.

Our days are all numbered, this I know. And I’m thankful that my mom is still here, despite her own battle with breast cancer, and that I’m here, too. I think I’ll call her to talk about that spaghetti sauce on my stove.