AARP Rewards Mother's Day Contest 2026!

My favorite Mothers Day memory is the year my daughter and her 2 year old daughter got up early on Mothers Day and went to every vacant lot and pasture nearby and picked wildflowers. When I woke up, there were flowers in my bedroom, the bathroom, the living room and the kitchen! Every available surface was filled with vases of flowers! When I thanked them, she cried because she couldn't  afford to buy me any presents! I told her there was nothing she could buy better than the flowers and her thoughtfulness, and that precious little grandchild!

My favorite Mothers' Day memory is the day I became a mother.  I was 22 years old and 7 months pregnant on Mothers' Day in May 1966.  I was in line at the grocery store getting last minute items for dinner, and my water broke.  I drove home, and my Mother immediately went into action. She was a nurse and knew I did not like hospitals, so, she prepped me right there at home before we went to the hospital. I became a mother and Mother became a grandmother about 5 hours later. I had a daughter, who weighed 5 pounds 3 ounces. She was a beautiful and healthy premmie. We went home 3 days later. 

My Mother passed in 2003 at the age of 80. We used to speak on the telephone everyday. I traveled a lot for work and would call her from my hotel or rented rooms whereever I was. I miss her so much. Without thinking, I still pick up the telephone to call her.(LOL)  

Evangelist Janet Hays-Forbes

  jhaysf@pacbell.net

I became a mother for the first time on Mother’s Day May 10th 1970. My first of 3 children was born at 3pm on May 10th. Every Mother’s Day is special but having my first child on Mother’s Day was really a treat! 

God didn't allow me to give birth to children.  In fact, He didn't bring Ricky into my life until I was 50 years old.  When we got married, I received two grown sons and five granddaughters. Interesingly enough, the boys' names were both on a list of names I had chosen for my children when I was in high school!  Jason and Jarrod were wonderful and I quickly began to love them.  Fast-forward 14 years.  God called Ricky to heaven, yet because of his boys, I am loved and cared for.  

THE DAY MY MOM SAVED THE DAY WAS WHEN I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD. I WAS PLAYING OUTSIDE WITH A FRIEND AND A NEIGHBOR'S DOG CAME AT ME AND BITE ME ON MY LEG. WE LIVED ABOUT FIVE BLOCKS DOWN FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL. SHE PICKED ME UP IN HER ARMS AND CARRIED ME ALL THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL. THAT WAS THE DAY MY MOM BECAME MY HERO. MY ANGEL IN HEAVEN, LOVE YOU MOM.

Mother’s Day is very special to me, my Mom and my two daughters. We share a very special bond from sharing our lives together and from exploring or family roots together. We have been very fortunate that my Mom and other relatives have researched their ancestry and we have all done DNA testing. We have learned very interesting things about our family legacy, including shared family traits, hobbies, and interests like gardening, reading and bring near the ocean. My mom is now 75, I am 54 and my daughters are 37 and 28 years old. We know that our genes are passed through our maternal DNA chromosomes, so it’s fascinating to learn more about our ancestors and grow closer with each other. It makes us more interested in each other, our family and in sharing the family history through stories and photos. Due to this unique exploration of our roots; It feels like we are celebrating this Mothers Day with those who came before us! 

 My 2 children are my blessings God gave me, they are they my best friends and they are always here for me.  Yes I have to say they spoil me.  They gave me 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren with 1 on the way. My babies are my life they all give me such pleasure. I am retired and I will soon be 72 I drive a school bus to help keep me active and busy, I love all of my kiddos. My mom passed away almost 20 yrs ago and oh how I miss her, she was truly my best friend through all my childhood,teenage, adult life, she was always there for me and we did so much together, I miss her voice, he laughter, her hugs and I could always go to her for advise.God has blessed me so much  

My daughter struggles with disorders affecting her mood and behaviors, so I am happiest when she takes a break from negativity to appreciate my assistance in her life.  Happy Mother's Day!

All my father said was that Mother had to go away for a while. He took my sister and I out for cheeseburgers—my first memory of eating out. I was 6, my sister was 10. 

There were no goodbye hugs. Mother was already gone. I was told she needed to rest. Actually she was in a tuberculosis hospital, where children were never allowed to visit.

My sister and I were first sent out of state to live with our cousins and the following year to a foster home. 

Father visited on weekends. Once he drove us to the hospital and had us wave at a small figure in a far window. I had long ago forgotten what Mother looked like and couldn’t see her face at that distance. But perhaps she saw us better. 

In the third year, on the second Sunday in May, Mother was released from the hospital. Although not expected to, she had survived and was coming home.

It was awkward because, for health safety reasons, we couldn’t hug or kiss. But Mother was here with us, we were a family again, it was a Mother’s Day miracle