AARP Rewards Mother's Day Contest 2026!

[AARPTeri]

Mother's Day is all about love, laughter... and the moments that make moms so special!

Share your Mother's Day tribute by hitting reply to this post - it can be funny, heartfelt or totally unique! Whether it's a funny memory, a simple thank you, or a life lesson she shared - we want to hear about it! 

Not only will you spread some joy, but you will also have a chance to win a special reward, because great stories deserve great prizes!

Need inspiration? Try one of these prompts to get you started!

• The moment my mom totally saved the day for me...
• If my mom had a superpower, it would be...
• Something my mom/inspiring woman in my life told me was...

No purchase necessary to win!  Be sure your entry is your own original story!  Keep it kind, respectful and fun! Check out the official rules here: View Contest Rules

Play our new Mother's Day Mahjong Solitaire Game!

We also have Mother's Day egreeting cards in Rewards, you can view them here 

[m449441w]

My son used to call me every day on Mother’s Day just to say how much he loved me. I would always say to him “my Mother’s Day is not today, it’s July 15th.”  Because this was the day he was born.  He would just laugh and say “you’re so funny Ma.” He passed away in 2021. There’s a quiet space on Mother’s Day now where his voice used to be. I miss him deeply, but I’m thankful for every memory—especially the laughter we shared. I miss those calls more than words can say, and I carry that love with me always. But at least I have this wonderful memory of him on Mother’s Day. However, July 15th will always be my real Mother’s Day because that’s the day I became a mother to one of the most beautiful souls that ever lived. And Mother's Day will always be the day I get to truly reminisce on what we shared on this day.

[ElizabethG812502]

This is a wonderful tribute to your son.  It sounds like YOU were an amazing mom. He called you because you instilled the value of family and love in him. May your Mother's Day be blessed with the lovely memories the two of you shared.

[SereneSeagull]

I’m sorry for your loss.  I love how you’ve made his birthday, the real Mother’s Day for you.  Quite lovely, that sentiment.  I gave my mother gifts on my birthday, thanking her.  You have a very thoughtful son.  I’m sorry he’s not physically here, but knowing that love is very special.

[c790525a]

When my mom was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at the young age of seventy, I was devastated. She decided to die at home so my brothers, my sister-in-law and I, took care of her with the help of hospice. At first, my mother retained her playful ways.  As we pushed her through her small apartment in a wheelchair, she waved her oxygen tubes yelling, "Yee-ha!", like she was a cowgirl from one of her favorite Roy Rogers shows.  We put wiggly eyes on her oxygen tank and treated it like one of the family. One day, the house filled with smoke because of a small piece of food on the coil of her electric stove, so the smoke alarm went off.  I waved a dish towel at the alarm hoping to clear the smoke away.  Suddenly I heard my mother's voice.  "Cathy!  Cathy!  Why are you waving that towel at the doorbell?"  We both laughed so hard, our eyes filled with tears.

After a few weeks, the laughter decreased as my mother struggled to breathe.  She sometimes crawled across the bed frantically, trying to escape suffocation.  Watching her struggle with an inability to breathe was torture for me.  This woman I loved was suffering and I felt helpless.  After I gave her medicine she calmed and often asked me to write thank you letters to people.  She dictated letters to the nurses at the county nursing home where my father was cared for because of Alzheimer's Disease.  She even dictated letters to members of her bank.

Just a few days before her death, my mother woke up and planned her funeral with me.  I wrote a eulogy and read it to her.  She said, " You wrote that about ME?  That's beautiful!"  

My mother started exhaling long drawn out breaths in her sleep.  Her mouth was open.  We knew the end was near.  One day she suddenly woke up, her eyes filled with wonder.  "Cathy, it's all so simple! It's just all about LOVE."  She was quiet for a moment and said, "My last breath on earth, will be my first breath in Heaven."  Later, "I'm ready to become a bigger part of God.  Or maybe it's a smaller part.  I'm not sure."

I wrote these profound words in my journal and visited them many times after her death, working them into a poem.

:    Her Last Breath

As an angel stood by her side,

love was her answer,

a whispering sigh.

 Breath out,

then in,

and one more time.

Her last exhalation,

a wisp of air,

an umbilical cord

to her soul,

forcing a birth in reverse.

Moving from physical form

to light and energy,

a transformation and continuation.

Simultaneously becoming

both a bigger and a smaller

part of God.

Her last breath 

on earth,

Her first in Heaven.

Love was still her answer,

her whispering sigh,

as an angel stood by her side.

[SereneSeagull]

I had tears welling up as I read this.  So beautiful, thank you.

[sv97338129]

My sweet Mother transitioned to her heavenly home on May 4th, 2016. That first Mother’s Day without her was so hard, I thought I would not survive it but here we are 10 years later and I have survived and thrived! I was an only child and so we were best friends. I feel her with me everyday and am excited to share her legacy with my 4 granddaughters! When they are having a hard time, I share my Mom’s favorite saying, “This too shall pass”, when they see a ladybug land on them(which is quite often), I tell them she came to say “hi”, she loved ladybugs!! When we cook muffins together, I comment on her delicious muffins that she loved to make and share. There are so many ways to keep a Mother’s love in your heart forever. Until we meet again, dance in the clouds and send us many Mom winks!!!!!

Love, Sharon

[SereneSeagull]

Beautiful, @sv97338129 

[docleslie]

My mom was an inspiration not only to me and my siblings, but to do many kids in our community. She was a single mom raising 3 children under the age of 10, due to the early death of our dad. Her strength through all of this was incredibly amazing as she navigated working, raising us and be party of the community. She was s social worker and you could see the positive impact her work did in helping families in crisis find the assistance and foundations they needed. She was there for all of our events and accomplishments. She never complained about being tired or over worked. Always soft spoken, a spirit filled, and her suicide and guidance were always will thought out, never making the decision for you to but teaching us to critically think about out choices. I can hear her now when I have a decision to make, she would appreciate say," pray about it, listen and watch for God's reply, and remember there are consequences to all your decisions, some good and don't bad, you have to choose." Her dedication to us least each of us to find success. 

Even now years after her passing, people remember her fondly, admiring the impact she had on not only us but her community. How wonderful and blessed we were to have such a beautiful mom. 

[SylviaR600637]

My mom passed away some time ago but the lessons of life she left my 7 siblings and myself are still very much alive and followed to this day. She and my dad came to this country where they did not speak the language and such a different way of life..but I saw how she always managed to get through the obstacles that came her way thus teaching us that we too could overcome and forge ahead in our lives..yet she was such a gentle and caring woman that never let the hardships of her life embitter her..always forgiving..our family is close even though we are now a very large family.. and it’s all because of what learned from our mom. We now strive pass those values to our own families.. and I am a better mom because of the example that was shown to me.

[CiennaN884110]

My mom always put my brother and I first when she was a single mom before she met my step-dad in 2019. She did everything for us! She had her own house, car, paid daycare, took us places, cooked, cleaned and graduated college with a 4.0 GPA when my brother was a baby. After 2019 when we moved into a new school district, my grandparents and my aunt hurt her pretty bad because they didn't like my step-dad. They withheld her wedding funds and became friends with my biological dad to have my brother and I taken away from her, but she stayed strong throughout it all. She lost a relationship with my grandma and her sister because of that. My mom hurt pretty bad for a long time and I'm sure she secretly still does, but she never shows it. She even wrote a book about her struggles, "Tornado Lies". She's an artist, an author, an interior decorator, a beautiful soul and the strongest mom anyone could as for. I went through a difficult time during the custody battle which caused me to drink, smoke and self-harm. She never gave up on me. She had to stay strong for me to heal. She is a great mom, she truly is a remarkable woman to have endured so much hurt and still rise above of it like a true Queen. My mom goes out of her way to accomodate for others people. She has an outgoing personality; she can carry on a conversation with anyone. She just has a way of connecting and understanding how someone else feels which is why she's loved by so many people. She never boasts, she rarely complains. She always puts herself last and I believe she truly deserves a break. All her money goes towards bills, daycare, our house, Christmas, birthdays, ect. I don't know how she keeps up with five kids, two dogs, a cat, a full-time job, and still manages to make dinner ever night. She's a great cook too!  She does so much for everyone else.  Despite her hardships, she always wears a smile and talks about her faith in God. Unfortunately, she had a miscarriage four months ago, a week before Christmas. I know she's been very sad lately; I can see it in her eyes. I don't know how she carries herself with such dignity and humbleness. She is an exceptional woman. If I can be half of the woman she is, I would be honored and proud to be like my mom. I wouldn't be where I am today without her.  I'd like to say I've matured over the years, but it's because she's always communicated with me and supported me.  Of all mothers in the world, I have the strongest, most beautiful mother inside and out. She deserves the world. I want to see her happy.

Plus if she won, the announcement would be made close to her birthday!!!! Her birthday is May 11th!

Happy Mother's Day and Birthday Mom, I love you!!!!

[MichelleK523334]

 My mother has passed away. However I think my daughter should be considered. I was at an all-time low when I lost my mother.  I didn’t care if I lived or died. She was my very best friend.  My daughter is married with two children and lives 12 hours away. When I would call her several times a day, she answered every time. even if it was just to say she was in the middle of something and she’ll call me right back, which she did. It’s been 4 1/2 years since my mother passed and still to this day my daughter and I talk several times a week. I no longer drive and I don’t Have any family nearby. last month when my daughter called me and found out I wasn’t feeling that good. She had cold medicine, cough drops, and soup delivered to my house.  She did all this for me while raising two children with a husband that was away the majority of the time due to the Coast Guard. I am truly blessed to have her as a daughter.  She was the one that helped me through the most difficult time in my life. She is one of a kind. 

[SereneSeagull]

That’s a special kind of daughter for sure.  👍🙂

[NicoleB22134]

  In the past I would plant a rose bush in my mom’s garden.  Now my daughter and I share the experience of tea service at Chado or The Huntington followed by a visit to a local botanical garden.

[SereneSeagull]

That’s nice you have something special to do with your daughter. 

[DebraM623198]

  In our family we have a saying: "Growing old isn't for sissies".  So, thank you mom for teaching me grit and determination. At 96 you may not have the physical strength to do all the things you still want to do, but you still have the heart, grit and determination (okay - sometimes described as stubbornness) to still do so much in your life.  Happy Mother's Day!  

[SereneSeagull]

Fantastic @DebraM623198 

[jg34206387]

My mom has been gone for many, many years.  She used many colorful expressions (ranging from sweet to sarcastic to almost profane) that, to date, I've never heard anyone else say.  "That's enough of that happy horse s**t!" "I'm gonna go bite him right in the ass!"  and "Bless your baby heart" are among my favorites.  I was born in the 60s, she died in 2010 and I can still "hear"some of her words from nearly 60 years ago.

[SereneSeagull]

I love sarcastic people.  Telling it like it is , @jg34206387  So great hearing your memory.

[lj2319]

Mrs. Groah, my third grade teacher, "Your mother is a beautiful woman.  She has such a wonderful smile".  My mom was physically attractive, but also extremely smart.  She was high school valedictorian and homecoming queen.  Somehow I knew even then Mrs. Groh meant beautiful, strong, inside and out.  Many years later I recognized my high school typing teacher at an event.  I told her, "My mom insisted I take typing, which meant being an hour late for wrestling practice one day a week".  I was angry, but Mom insisted, and I told the teacher, "As mom said it would, typing turned out to be extremely valuable as I've done a lot of writing."  My former teacher smiled, then almost cried, saying, "We teach all these years and mostly hear nothing, or just the bad things.  You don't know what it means to hear such a good thing."  I did know.  Mom was still brightening lives 15 years after she died.  When my Dad retired, Mom and Dad travelled all over the country in an old camper he knew how to keep running.  When Dad died, Mom quit travelling till I asked, "Any other place you"d like to go?"  I took her to Philadelphia, "birthplace of America", and I still remember the tension at the Liberty Bell.  The rest of the folks in the tour just wanted to get on with it, but the knowledgeable guide was smiling profusely, thrilled to be able to answer the most amazing questions pouring forth from my Mother. When she was dying, I brought her applesauce I made myself.  I tried to get her to teach me to cook in high school, but she refused.  I don't know if she feared I'd destroy her kitchen, or if it was that conservative thinking, "Cooking is women's work."  I learned on my own, and as I spooned applesauce into Mom's mouth, she said weakly, "You made applesauce just for me?"  That strong, beautiful smile spread slowly across Mom's face.  It brightens my life to this day.

[SereneSeagull]

  Beautifully written.

[LeandraG443547]

One of the best gifts of being a wife, mother of 2 beautiful adult daughters.  One just turned 22.  She still lives at home.  My oldest one is 29 and after her divorce in February she moved back home but she brought a gift.  She is pregnant with my first grand baby.  She is having a boy due on her dad's birthday.  She is naming him after my dad's first name and her dad's middle name.  Leonard Thomas, Leo for short.  She is actually due July 21st but is getting induced on July 13th on her dad's birthday and that's blessing for all three of us.  Her dad, my husband, he's excited to be a pepaw.  We have been married almost 30 years.  It will be 30 years August 16,2016.  Plus we live with my mom to help take care of her because she is 73 years old.  She is going to be great grandma.  Plus we had a bonus my me and my husband and my younger daughter living here, last  August we had a scare with me.   I found out I had breast cancer in my left breast.  So I ended up having a bilateral mastectomy, then I went through chemo from December 2025 to February 2026.  Then in March I had surgery to remove 12 lymphnodes and they were all negative.  Praise the Lord.  So I am in remission for now. I plan to stay that way for awhile because I can't wait to welcome this new grandbaby into the world. 

He truly is a blessing from God.   My dad passed away about 40 years ago so I am going to say he was handpicked by his great grandpa in Heaven.  So he will be perfect.

[ChristopherK487822]

One of the most beautiful gifts as a mother, is watching your daughter become a mom herself, and just being awestruck as to what an amazing women she’s become. Truly the greatest gift is knowing my children are my most beautiful legacy.

[MadonnaM141634]

The most important thing my mother ever taught me was to always save for a rainy day. Thanks Mom!

[mm77866126]

I want to thank my mother for the life she gave me i miss you mom😍

[SereneSeagull]

That’s beautiful.  

[DonyaTann]

The most important thing my mother taught me is to never give up. When things are bad that means they'll get better. When things are good, be grateful. Also share goodness with others. Be genuinely happy for others and their successes. The golden rule applies to everything. 

[j848945r]

My mother was a farm wife. She prepared all the meals, kept a garden so we could have homegrown (pesticide free) veggies, ran after equipment parts for the farm and then took the time to sew all four of us girls matching yellow (with flowers) Easter dresses.

[kariann]

     I didn't appreciate my Mom until I was older, as a teenager I always thought I'll never act like that or think like that. But guess what I learned many lessons from her, I think I'm a better parent and person because of her. My Mom got Alzheimer's in her 70's and now every time I forget something, I think oh no I've got it now. But because I know the signs I don't freak out too much. I have pictures and objects that I've kept for the happy memories and I thank you Mom and Love you

[SereneSeagull]

Isn’t that something, as we age we appreciate the lessons our parents taught us, even more.  I always made a point as an adult to thank them for that.  We don’t always see this as teens, but it becomes more apparent as we grow and mature.  Loved your post @kariann 

[blueroseviolin1129]

Everlasting Influence 

My mom, a blessed memory, still plays an active role in all I think about, say, and do. She always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. At 65, I am going back to school to be a licensed Music Therapist-what I originally went to college for. I don’t regret choosing a career as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired for 41 years. I loved it. My desire to help others, as well as myself, something she always wanted for me, is now my goal and I will pursue it passionately. She always withheld her energy until the time was right to release it towards the most important things to her  - family, faith, and the future. I know I can never fill her shoes, but because of her, I am grateful to be able to fit comfortably in my own.