life, love, and the pursuit of a PhD

Well written! I could not have said it any better myself. As an impressionable teen who lived in a city that was the site of one of the "Spring of Life" pro-life demonstrations during the late 80's and early 90's, I remember being incensed that protesters were not only blocking access to clinics, but following some of the staff to their HOMES and protesting outside once they got done with work. I was lucky to learn very early on why it was so important to leave the choice open to women who needed it and I am glad that I learned it at a relatively young age (11) from a neighbor who is an OB-GYN. I don't know that anyone else would have explained the significance to me otherwise, as both my parents are very religious. Your mom sounds like a woman with a good head on her shoulders, I wish my mom had been more available to me and expressed her unconditional support for me in the case I ever got pregnant. Kudos to your mom and to you.