Being depressed about something is not something funny or to be taken lightly as if they were so weak emotionally that they should have power through any obstacle the way other people are.

We don't tell crippled people to stand up (well, some faith healers do :D ), but for some reason it's okay to tell depressed people to 'pick themselves up' as if that's any way more feasible when the 'crippleness' is of a chemical nature.

It was the most painful week but I'm glad, I'm having those experiences. It provides me with a fresh new perspective of how people with MDD were going through so instead of judging, I can now be empathetic of they felt.

That's how I feel about a lot of stuff that befall me, though they definitely don't feel like something good at the time, or even later. But it does seem negative experiences increase empathy.

My condolences for your mother.