Cheryl,
Maybe your mom was pushing you out of the paralysis! See, she is still with you and giving you advice. I"m glad to hear that you were able to use the experience to move forward. If your mom is anything like my mom, I know that she would be touched that you miss her so much, but she wouldn't want you to stop living and growing just because she wasn't there. So it sounds like she gave you a little nudge!
Susan