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Tuesday May 3, 2016 Edition
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Celebrating Moms!

Mama Amanda Mason and family.
photo by provided
Mama Amanda Mason and family.
Anissa & Glory Martin.
photo by provided
Anissa & Glory Martin.
Heather Winters and mom.
photo by provided
Heather Winters and mom.
Grace Smith and mom.
photo provided
Grace Smith and mom.
Jessica Saltus and her mom
photo by provided
Jessica Saltus and her mom

Tuesday May 3, 2016

By Cookie Steponaitis

While times change, fashions shift and traditions ebb and flow one of the strongest bonds celebrated for centuries throughout the history of humanity is that of mother and child based on a love that is stronger than DNA and more resilient than the harsh realities that life throws in our path. On Sunday May 8th people worldwide will honor one of the most enduring relationships of their lives. Some will call and send flowers and the luckiest will get to spend time with those who go by the simple but complicated title of mom.
    “Not sure if this is what you set out to get for this article but I have to say that my favorite moment of being a mom so far is seeing the love between myself and my children blossom,” reflected Amanda Mason. “My daughter Aliza is such a sweet and caring girl and the love she shows for me makes my heart melt. While I was in the hospital in labor for my son Drake just three weeks ago she was in the room visiting. She wanted to stay and the nurses allowed it. I had to miss her spring concert at pre-school because I went into labor and rather than being upset that I couldn’t be there, she came into my room and sat with me, holding my hand and telling me to squeeze hers through my contractions. She stayed by my side through the whole process and constantly looked for reassurance that I was OK. It melted my heart and she was my little support system and is the proudest big sister. She asks me every day what she can do to help me and reminds me to ‘relax mommy, so you don’t get too tired.’ She is my sweetheart!”
    Graduating senior Anissa Martin is equally passionate about her mother and Mother’s Day this year. As her final days of high school draw to a close and monumental decisions around plans and college have been center stage, Anissa wanted to honor her mom for not just this year but for all the years leading up to  it. “My mom is special and important in not only my life but everyone around her,” added Anissa. “She loves her job and works hard at it, doing more than she should sometimes. When I was younger she was the one who did everything, from working full time to being the super-mom who took care of everything at home for her and me. While I was searching for the perfect major to study in at college, I thought I wanted to follow in her footsteps but she made me realize that it wasn't the right path for me and showed me that I really want to be a School Psychologist. My mom is my hero, my best friend and my role model. She's there when I need someone to talk to and sometimes take my frustrations out on, and she's the one person who shows me what it's like to be a strong, independent woman. My mom is so important and special in everyone's lives, in and out of work, but most of all in my life. Thank you mom for always being my rock and being my best friend who never gives up on me! You deserve a million thank yous and so much more! You are very special to me and everyone around you!! Thank you for all you do. I love you!”
    We move into a different relationship with our parents as adults and begin understanding the depth of commitment and love we experienced as children. Heather Winters has been on her own for almost a decade now, but still looks at her mother and father with a great deal of love and thanks. “Robin Winters is not only my mom but also my best friend. There are so many things that I could share about my mom but today I want to share this story for Mother’s Day as a surprise to her. Many people who know our family know how close we are with one another including our animals. This includes blood family and non-blood family. My most cherished stories I have include various trips that we took as a family going to Florida as well as many other states and all of our camping trips. What I enjoyed the most was how she supported me with all of the sports, activities and all of the time spent with my horse Zane and I. This was whether it was at horse shows, bringing me to the stable when I was younger or never missing a basketball game. As I grow older I will always hold these memories and will always look up to my mom as my role model. I will always be her little girl no matter what age I become. I love my mom and my best friend.”     
    Eighth grader Grace Smith paused during her day to send a shout of love out to her mom and to share a favorite memory. “My favorite memory with my mom was when we went on vacation last year to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. The thing that made it so much fun was that my mom was with me. There is a store named Ashley's General Store and I had the urge to buy my mom something very special just to show and make her realize what a great mother she is and how glad I am to have her as a mother. So I decided to get her a colorful glass hummingbird that can hang outdoors or indoors and she loved it.” Happy Mother’s Day!
    Mom Jen Wyman wanted to celebrate her daughter Hannah and their relationship. She shared, “One of my fondest experiences with Hannah was taking her to Chicago to the American Girl Store to have tea for her fifth birthday. We had another reason to go but it was fun to say it was for her. We went to the museums, the aquarium and tea at the store was amazing. She was so bedazzled by the airplane ride, the taxi ride and the idea that she was alone with mom made it more exciting. She really loved every minute and it was a memory made for a lifetime.”
    The bond between mother and child changes over time and at some point the roles can even reverse. Even at the end of life there is a connection that death does not separate. Jessica Saltus’s mom Judy Kemp lost her battle with Stage 4 Colon cancer that had spread to her lungs, liver and bones this past week. While the family struggles to deal with the grief and loss, Jessica feels deep inside that it is only time that separates them now and shared, “Not sure how my heart will ever heal. Mom I miss you so much. I know that you’re in Heaven with Matt and all your friends that you have lost but life will never be the same without you. I will cherish all the time I had with you. Remember all the good and sad times we had together. Thanks for everything you did momma.”
    Whether they are here with us or in our hearts, Moms occupy a special place and a vital role in our lives. On Mother’s Day take the time to reach out, share some memories and if possible make more. If you find yourself alone on that day reach out to another and celebrate with them. Relationships make the world go round and our lives stronger. As a current trending comment on the Internet reminds us, “My nickname is Mom, but my full name is Mom, Mom, Mommy, Mother.”


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