Having broken several bones I can testify, the bone mends its break, you can use the limb again, and the body never forgets. Fifty years after shattering my leg I still deal with the collateral damage of altered alignments that worked through the rest of my skeleton. I imagine the loss of a close and loving parent is much the same, it changes the balance and alignment of your heart and you live with those changes.

I do envy you your relationship with your mom, mine was more complicated and less fulfilling. Still, after four years I find myself thinking I will call Mom to share a thought or show her something I have written or built...and then of course remember;)