something fierce this way comes

Watching "Without A Trace" - an episode in season three when this middle-aged guy abducts a little boy who reminds him of his dead son:

Mum: You know, I understand where he's coming from.
Me: Who? The dad?
Mum: Yeah. If my kid died, if I were in his situation, I think I'd get pretty crazy too.
Me: Yeah -- I think everyone would. You'd be sad and go crazy, but you wouldn't abduct some random little boy.
Mum: [pauses] I don't know... I'd go pretty crazy...


Having breakfast:

Me: Mum, why do you always seem so tired and stressed? You're constantly thinking and worrying.
Mum: That's cos I'm always thinking about you and your sister's future.
Me: But Kirsty's 23, working full-time. I'm almost 20 and in med school. When are you gonna stop worrying?
Mum: When I'm dead.


My mum -- the fiercest 4foot9 woman I've ever met and will ever meet in my entire life. How can such a tiny woman be so... scary?? (In a good way!)