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Our mom made the best cinnamon rolls.   Now that she has passed on, one day I need to get the courage to try to make them.   My daughter had some great times making them with her. 

My mother, the one who held our family together, passed away suddenly when she went to the hospital for a simple outpatient surgery that should have lasted no more than 2 hours, 7 hours later they finally came out and told me that they had hit an artery too hard and she bled out and died. This rocked our family, it took us down, my father gave up, my siblings strayed from each other, and life is not the same, However, I have another mother hero, My daughter. Her life is dedicated to her children, she home schools them but makes sure she has them enrolled in many outside activities to ensure they build social connections. When I lost my husband last year followed by being scammed out of $90,000, she jumped on a plane and was by my side for weeks, when I had to sell my home, she paid for someone to pack, move and unpack my stuff. Her heart is pure and the joy she brings to my life and others is amazing. I think of my mother every single day and miss her so very much yet having watched my daughter grow into the beautiful mother she is brings so much happiness to my life that I honor her each Mother's Day. It has been a while since I have been by her side, airline tickets have made it difficult, but we facetime daily and share our triumphs and difficulties as only two mothers can do.

My Mother was the hardest working person I know she had to retired from her job the day she passed at 84. She lived like she was going to live for ever and always happy. On her 75 Birthday I cried all day did not want her to get old she lived 9 more wonderful years. We were a big family on holidays she would make every one’s favorite dish all of us had so much food to take home that made her happy cooking for us. 

My Mother was the hardest working person I know she had to retired from her job the day she passed at 84. She lived like she was going to live for ever and always happy. On her 75 Birthday I cried all day did not want her to get old she lived 9 more wonderful years. We were a big family on holidays she would make every one’s favorite dish all of us had so much food to take home that made her happy cooking for us. 

My mother passed away in 2016 at the age of 90. She had a hard life as a child in Spain. Being one of the oldest of 13 children she had very little educational opportunities due to having to take care of the younger kids. She would hand wash clothes on a wash board in the local stream for the family and there was never enough food to go around. She married my dad and they moved to the US. She was a hard worker who never seemed to rest, always cooking and cleaning and devoted to her family.  She worked full time in a factory for over 30 years as well. She was a fantastic cook and  an even better baker and taught me a lot. She was my best friend my whole life. When she passed away it was a huge hole in my heart and in my life. I miss her every day. She never learned to drive and so I took her everywhere. When we went to the grocery store she would go up and down every aisle (multiple times) and at the time it drove me crazy but I would give anything to take one more grocery trip with her. Even writing this I can't see through my tears. She was the best, God bless her.

When I was 10 years old I got a newspaper route so I could earn money to get my Mom something for Mothers Day. I had remembered seeing my mom see a Mother's Ring she had told my Dad she really wanted one and he had told her probably not this year maybe next. So that night I snuck the Kay's magazine and had it in my room. The ring she wanted wasn't really all that expensive but for back then and for a 10 year old it was. The cost of the ring was 400.00. It was September so I calculated what I would have by April and ai would have more than enough. By the middle of March I had saved over 500.00. I went to Kay's that weekend with the money and all of my siblings birthdays and birthstone information and placed the order. The Jewelry lady asked me if I wanted it engraved and I hadn't thought about it. I told the lady yes and said Mom I Love you with my initials. Mothersday arrived I had got the ring 2 weeks earlier and hid it until that morning. I ran to the flower shop down the street got my Mom a carnation arrangement as that is her favorite flower. Ran home. She was already awake I was so excited so I handed her the flowers and the gift box. When she opened it she started crying and I thought she didn't like it so I asked her. My mother's reply has stayed with me going on 37 years now. She said Rachel you worked so hard and this is the reason why. My Mom put the ring on her hand and I am blessed to still have her with me now. She hasn't taken that ring off except for surgery since the day I gave it to her.

This isn't about my mom.  This is about an incredible mother who is a dear friend of mine.  She has a child who is autistic and has raised him on her own from the time he was 2. She never let anyone tell him he couldn't do something and has always fought to teach him that he isn't different.  Through the years she has made sacrifices so he could grow into a wonderful young man. Even through the struggles she has always maintained a positive attitude and would instantly help anyone who needs it without a second thought.  I have watched in awe as she navigates working full time, shuttling him to and from jobs or school and teaching him how to be independent.  She also helped to reunite her mother with a sister she didn't know she had this past year. It's so typical that she would put someone else first.  She always does and not a complaint to be heard.

My Mother battled cancer for most of my childhood. She never forgot a birthday card or cake. She was always there for me. Cancer took her away but she still lives in me  

So wonderful to see all these cheerful stories of people whose mother loved them. I was raised by a mother with mental health problems who was quite abusive, so childhood memories are not so dear. When she died my eulogy included all my wishes for her. I wish she had seen Beauty in her children and in her life, I wish she had experienced Joy, I wish you had cherished life and love. I wished her the ability to play frolic and be carefree. All this I wished she could have and was so grateful that I could and did with my own children. Her blessing was that I learned how to do it the right way.

My grandma made the most-beautiful quilts. She wasn't able to travel to my wedding, but she sent me a quilt and said she wished she could have danced at my wedding. That's love.