@ hmmblah, I lost my mum last year to the big C ( my brother twice had it, but got through it ) She once said something to me, while walking the dogs. I didn't really get it at the time, "why don't you stop for a rest, look back and ponder just how far you've come." Like a numpty, I thought she was meaning the walk, not life. I miss her little pearls of wisdom, and I miss her. What you said stuck a cord!
RIP Mum.