AARP Rewards Mother's Day Contest 2026!

Back in middle school, I came home one afternoon and my cocker spaniel, Duke was nowhere to be found.  I searched every room in the house—nothing.  No tags jingling, no tail wagging, just silence.  Panicked, I called my mom at work.  Without hesitation, she left early and came home to help me look.  We walked the neighborhood for hours, calling his name, checking yards.  No Duke.

After that, she went out and bought poster boards, and we made missing dog signs, hanging them on telephone poles all around the neighborhood.  Still nothing.  That night, I went to bed heartbroken, convinced he was gone forever.  Then I heard it—a faint whimper.  I looked under the bed and there he was— wedged tightly between my bed and the wall. Duke had been there the whole time.  We still laugh about it to this day—it’s just one of the many moments that showed how my mom was always there for me!

My mom called me her miracle child. She had 7 miscarriages before me. 4 years ago I learned that I had A- blood, which came from my mother. Which is the reason my mother had miscarriages . Wish schools had a health class for every student !! Would have been so important for me to know that I had a high (95%) likelihood to cause a miscarriage. That is why I was my mom’s miracle.

my mom has been passed away 28 years and every day I miss her more. She was the best mom cook friend you could ask more.  Happy Mothers Day in heaven 

My mother's legacy has outlived her ultimately short time on this earth - her faith.  Always destined for something greater, she is enjoying her full legacy in heaven with her mother, the Lord, Jesus, and countless others.  Her ministry was her passion from adulthood onward, costing her relationships in the process, but her eyes were firmly on the prize.  As a mother, she put my spiritual education first and foremost, introducing the Bible to me before I could read and encouraging daily habits of prayer, thanksgiving, and the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).  She was my ultimate rock on earth, and as her birthday approaches this year (on Mother's Day once more), I enter what I often call my 'crying or blue month' where I miss her most.  May is a big month in my relationship with her.  Born on Mother's Day, she passed away on May 30, 2023, after valiantly fighting cancer on three separate occasions.  By time number three, the Lord was ready to call her home, but I was not ready to say goodbye.  The road without her is tough, my life is now split into a 'before' and 'after' (before her death and after).  While I take comfort and solace in knowing that we will be reunited once more in heaven, and I know that she is much happier and healthier up above than on earth, the aching feeling remains.  I take solace first and foremost in the Lord, and in memories of her.  Until we meet again, I strive to live by her example, as a prayer warrior.  Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength'.

My amazing Mom was the 3rd of 10 children (spread out over a span of almost 20 years)! Being raised on a farm, she was responsible for helping to raise her younger siblings while the older extended family members worked out in the field (almost like a second mother). That involved meal prep three times a day and loads of laundry, not to mention the neverending baskets of diapers to wash. She had plenty of experience before raising her own family with four daughters. She must have thought raising us girls was easy and, although she didn't work outside the home, she gave it her all. We were taught responsibility and to embrace life and each other. 

There are so many things a mom does that makes them special; they are patient, love unconditionally, make sacrifices to ensure the needs of their child(ren) are met and the list goes on.... they are irreplaceable! 

My mom always saved the day for me when she would stay up late to help me with school projects, even when she was tired and it was my own fault for waiting until the last minute! She always made time to listen to my problems about social life and school or to just share things with her that I wanted to talk about. These 2 things have played a major role in my life now that I am a mom. When my kids come to me with last minute school assignments I remember how greatful I was that my mom expressed disappointment but let it go and just helped me even though I now realize how frutstrated (and tired) she must have been. Now I am able to do the same for my children. I also realize how important it is be available to my kids anytime they want to talk about concerns, joys or anything they want to tell me about. No matter how busy I am I will never be too busy to give them as much of my time as they need.

Thank you mom for teaching me how to be an amazing mom. I love you!

My mother raised 5 kids and saved money by canning vegetables. She knew how to stretch a dollar.

Oh what to say about my mom, an 84 year old lady with the spunk of a 30yo. She always had a good sense of humor while still maintaining a fairly “strict” code of Christian conduct with us 3 kids. I have seen through the years  how she has changed her views on social and cultural topics. She grew up in a home that was less than tolerant of others who were deemed different. I appreciate that she has made an effect to be more open minded and accepting. On this Mothers Day I am thankful for her letting me be creative, for guiding me and well for keeping herself healthy enough to make it to 84….and hopefully well beyond, so I can continue to enjoy her wonderful company. 

Well of course I know my mom is amazing. She is an Army Veteran’s wife, mother of 3, Nana to 6, and great-grandma soon to 2. She will surprise you with your favorite foods and accomodate anyone as best she can, but the thing I love about my mom most is her ability to teach without letting you always know that’s what she is doing or even giving that advice when it’s needed but still just routing you down a path instead of saying this is the way. Example best is when I was first dating my now husband and then found out he had a child. I said mom what do I do? She said honey I can’t answer that for you. That’s something you have to think about but know that you’re taking on a family not just a man. We hadn’t been dating long but I knew that I really liked this guy. Of course right!! So I contemplated this situation and I put it in her perspective instead of hey he has a kid. Now I have a husband and a wonderful (step)son that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Thanks mom I love you so much!! 

The most wonderful response my mother ever said to me was that she would support my decision in whatever I chose to do. And she did! This acknowledgement that I was a grown, confident and caring woman who could make informed decisions about life changing events stayed with me throughout the rest of my time with her before her passing. It's also been a model for how I respect my son's and granddaughter. Thank you Mom!