Olethea Pimenta • September 15, 2026
When you lose your mom young, grief can return in ordinary moments.
You might see a friend call her mom for advice. You may watch someone’s mom help with her children, celebrate her accomplishments or care for her when life becomes difficult. You might come across a loving tribute on Mother’s Day.
No one is trying to hurt you. You may even feel happy that another woman has this kind of relationship. But seeing a mom in action can make your own loss feel painfully present.
For many of the women I work with, their mom was their biggest cheerleader—the person who mentored them, championed them and believed in who they could become.
When you see another woman receiving that love, you are not simply witnessing a beautiful moment. You are being reminded of something you miss deeply.
You may be seeing the care you once had. You may also be seeing experiences you will never get to have with your mom.
She will not be there for the next achievement, relationship, birthday or difficult decision. She will not meet the future versions of you or see the life you are working so hard to build.
This is not jealousy. It is your loss coming into contact with what is missing.
The messages women share about their moms can be difficult to read. They describe the person who always believes in them, answers their calls and supports them through every stage of life.
You understand why they want to celebrate that love. But their words can bring you face-to-face with the permanence of your own loss.
You do not have to write your own tribute or immediately turn the pain into gratitude. Sometimes you need to acknowledge a much simpler truth: you miss your mom, and you wish she were still here.
When your mom helped you believe in yourself, it can be difficult to feel hopeful without her.
You may still want love, success, joy and a meaningful future. But moving toward those things can feel different when the person you most wanted to share them with is missing.
I work with women who lost their moms young and are trying to build their lives around this absence. Therapy can give you a place to hold the moments when the loss feels especially close. It can also help you find steadiness, reconnect with hope and continue building a life that matters to you.
Moving forward does not require you to minimize how much you miss your mom. It means carrying the loss while making room for the life you still want.
