Content warning: This article contains mentions of bereavement experiences, including loss of a parent and a child.

One morning in mid-February, I was working at home and about to join a committee meeting virtually when I got the call no one ever wants to get but some version of which we will all experience: it was my sister-in-law telling me that my mother had unexpectedly passed away. She had had health problems, but it was still a major shock, especially considering she had just been seen by three different doctors in the days prior and had a treatment plan ready to start. I count myself lucky that I was at home and not in the office and that my husband works from home and was there as well. A friend came over immediately, got us moving to make the 12-hour drive home, even called my supervisor to let her know I would be out for the foreseeable future.