AARP Rewards Mother's Day Contest 2026!

Mom's gone, but not numerous great memories. She was the best.

My Mother became a widow in 1969, when my dad had a massive heart attack. It devastated her, and she went through a lot of emotional aching, but she focused on us girls. He was 50, and somehow, she found a way to raise four strong minded independent women, all on her own. She would clean people's houses for a living to make ends meet, while making sure homework was done. I believe it was her strong faith that got her through and all of us through as well. We learned how to become good mothers and women due to her instilling her strength in all of us. I am so proud she was my mother, and I miss her a lot.

Mother of 4 girl,a son that's deceased. He would always gift me Channel#5.Now who's going to gift me this fabulous fragrance 

As a 14 year old daughter, and one of 11 children, it was always understandable why I always thought of my mom as an amazing mother. It took one special moment for me to see her as more, a sweet, blushing woman! She was driving me to a doctor's appointment around noon one day when my dad came randomly down the opposite side of the street, heading home for lunch from his job. As he neared our car & spotted Mom, he gave her a sly wink, softly blowing her a kiss. As mom patted her heart & blushed, she shared with me, "Even after all these years, seeing him still makes my heart go pitter-patter!". God LOVE her! 

Growing up I used to watch my mom make batch after batch of jam.  I think I was intrigued because of all the cups of sugar I saw her use!  Looking back, I'm not sure what she did with it all but safe to say we never ran out of jam.  I even told her that when I grew up I wanted to live next to her and make strawberry jam.  Today, we live a couple of blocks from each other.  Let the jam making begin!

When I was a child, something, my mother told me was, “If you don’t like, it lump it.” I was a picky eater, and she said that in response to me letting her know I didn’t care for her dinner (in less kind words).

I took great offense that my mother would talk to me in such a manner. I pouted and ate the dinner she so graciously provided. Perhaps a part of it was passed off to the cat under my chair, but I never went hungry.

Mom worked hard as a realtor five or more days each week. We had a traditional household where Mom also was in charge of cleaning and cooking. I took it all for granted back then and fussed like any child might.

Looking back, my mother taught me that I should be grateful for what has been provided, and opened my pallet up to choices other than that of a fussy child. I also learned to respect the effort she put into all that she did for the family.

When raising my own children, I never used mom‘s phrase, but the meaning of it stuck with me. My children had to try at least a bite of whatever was prepared . If they didn’t like it, they could pour themselves a bowl of cereal, but I provided the one dinner that I planned, shopped for ingredients, and worked lovingly to make. Neither of them is picky now but they had been when they were little. I was not the mom that made different meals to suit each family member. I believe my mom’s words, flippant as they seemed at the time, came from the right place and I am appreciative and learned from her to be grateful for what I have, respectful of others, and willingness to try new things. Glad Mom stood up for herself too.

I am very fortunate to still have my mom and treasure any cooking she is still willing to do for me as an adult.

I love you Mom, you are my anchor your sweet little girl

 remember a particular Mother’s Day in 1977.  I had a miscarriage the day before and was really down.  I certainly did not want to go the church and hear the usual guilt inducing remarks about being a perfect mother.  But I went.  During the meeting, I realized that I had three wonderful children sitting beside me.  If I never had more, I had reason to feel great JOY and I was content.  

My mother is an angel sent to take care of me. She's always there when I need her. Through my many surgeries and procedures she's taken me to her house to take care of my outpatient care.Some of my fondest memories of my mom is our travels such as Disney World and Bourbon Street and the Mammoth Caves and Taquaneman Falls and camping and our many trips to our winter home in Florida and SeaWorld and  and Tampa ghost tours and Tampa aquarium and many more places. She's got a caregiver personality. She cares for our whole family. She loves and shows it in her actions. She's very protective of all family members. She's my angel and always will be. She always attends our church Mother's Day dinner. Much love to the matriarch of our family. Happy Mother's Day Mom. I love you with all my heart.