It is difficult to concentrate on important work when you have other matters in your mind, as everyone knows. This was one of those days, I had sat on my desk for the whole afternoon without achieving anything. A distressing situation indeed, considering the importance of the work I was supposed to be doing. I heard a knock on the door, and a cheerful feminine voice: "Penny for your thoughts, troubled mind."nnIt was mom, of course, flashing a warm, radiant smile at me. She was wearing an apron over her blue flowered dress, so she must have been taking a break from important household duties. She brushed a curl of black of her face, although currently most of it was tied into a thick bunch behind her head hair. It was a familiar gesture, and I knew the kind of look she was going to give me next, of caring interest and helpfulness. "You seem so restless today, pumpkin. You didn't think I wouldn't notice?" Mom sweetly inquired.nn"Oh, it's just that I can't concentrate. And you know this thing I'm supposed to be doing."nn"The really important one?" she asked, with a deeply concerned look.nn"Yes," I said seriously. "I really have to get this done, but."nnMom touched my face gently and spoke: "You could just tell me everything about about it. You know, the way you always can when so are having problems with something really important." During this, her hand had started slowly tracing downwards.