I find all of these posts touching. I also miss my mum who died 28years ago in May. We had a troubled relationship as I grew into a teen and adult, but she was a loving mother while I was a child. I wish I had the same understanding of her difficulties while I was younger, although I know I couldn't change things.
My dad was suffered with MS from when I was around 12 and he died when I was 20. Mum slowly sunk into depression and alcoholism during this time, although I wasn't aware. To me she was distant and always going to bed early and leaving us kids to manage on our own, then raging when we did something she didn't agree with.
But my early years were idyllic really. A stay at home mum, dad in a good job and all the benefits of middle/working class in the 60's and early 70's. Memories of coming home from school to smelling stews, pies etc., and going for Sunday drives as a family. We were all so happy then, but illness broke our family. Luckily I still have very good relationships with my siblings, and carry the fond memories of our early life.