I picked Mom up at LAX on a hot afternoon two weeks after her phone call. I hadn't seen her for nearly two years, and when she came through the entrance to baggage claim and smiled at me I almost started to tear up, I was so glad to see her. We hugged.

"Thomas, look at you! Tall and tan and fit and handsome. My God, the last time I saw you, you were pasty white from spending all your time hunched over that computer. California certainly agrees with you."

"You look great too, Mom, really excellent."

It was true. She had a beautiful face that was unmarked by age,...