(Close friend of Ilana's from her early teaching days) "I was shocked and saddened to hear this news. I’m so sorry for you and your family. I suppose if there is any good to be taken from this, it’s that you were able to spend some final time with her. It must have been heartbreaking though. I know, too, that my parents can't go on forever. I understand that rationally, but emotionally, I can’t imagine my life without them. I think that it’s incredibly important (but incredibly difficult) that we strive to live in the moment, and to enjoy the time that we have with our loved ones while they’re still here. I seem to always find myself living and preparing for the future. As they say, ‘Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.’ We need to live consciously and to make our memories while we still can. I hope you can take solace in the fact that your mom was a woman that left her mark. She was a free spirit with an artist’s soul. You’re an example of this I think. Your life path is unique."