[Westleigh]

Yes.


Though it is true that our guides often help us through other living people, some spirits who no longer need to come to Earth to learn for themselves continue to incarnate here solely for the purpose of helping others. Though not exactly guides in the sense of spirit guides because they are people like any other and not necessarily spiritually aware, you can usually tell these people when you meet them - some are spiritual teachers, but others are just ordinary people who are very wise, loving and giving, always know the right things to say, and seem to be able to effortlessly deal with life's difficulties. They are usually (though not always) in helping or teaching professions of some kind and tend to be role model figures who take others under their wing.


I have met quite a few people like this who I am certain are very experienced spirit guides when they are not in a human body. And often these people come into our lives at certain times to teach us, just as our spirit guides do.


You may or may not call such people guides, but perhaps there is no line to be drawn. It's very sweet that you feel your mother is a guiding figure for you.