wendybeth,
What an amazing post.
Don't stress about what you're feeling. Emotions don't come with margins and instructions. They are what they are. Ride 'em.
If it's any consolation, you may not have gotten the validation that you wanted from your mom, but in the end, do you really need it? Your own family loves you. Your buds on the LoT love you. You're a wonderful person.
On the other hand, maybe your mom came back as a deer...
I'm just kidding. That's what I do, I kid. No offense meant.