Posted: Thursday, May 7, 2009 12:00 am
With Mother's Day approaching, our teen journalists offer their tributes
Jane Traylor
Mother, madre, matriz, mutter, mere, moeder - whether in English, Italian, Portuguese, German, French or Dutch, these words have the same meaning around the world: A woman who provides love and care for her child.
Even so, all moms are different. Every mother has a different way of disciplining, loving and providing for her children. But one thing is true for just about every mother; they love their children unconditionally. This is the love I feel from you, Mom.
This Mother's Day I want to thank you for giving me joy, abundant love and life lessons. You're my hero and the one I look up to.
Words cannot explain the way I appreciate and love you. You are the greatest, sweetest, kindest, most loving woman I know.
You put others before yourself.
You support my dreams.
You overflow with empathy.
You help me through my struggles, and rejoice when I triumph.
Thank you.
"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and suddenly fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity, when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us when trouble thickens around us, still she will cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." - Washington Irving
Emily Traylor
Stacy Hart
Stacy, my mom, is one woman that I'll never frown upon.
She has always been there for me; she's always wanted me to be up front with her and to be honest with everything.
She's given me so many opportunities that she never had, and I have always been thankful for that, whether I say it or not, and Mom, I want you to know that you've done a pretty good job as a single parent of raising me.
She's tried so hard to raise me without having to deal with anything she did when she was growing up. I'll never forget when she used to make me clothes that matched hers - I honestly miss those outfits, although I'm surprised I actually admitted that in a newspaper article.
But it's true. I miss a lot of things we used to do together: skiing, snowboarding, wakeboarding and water skiing, Irish dance lessons and riding horses. Lately, everyone in our family has been pretty busy and there isn't a lot of time to go out and have fun like it seemed there was when I was younger.
I really miss all the times we would go places together, and now it seems that I jump at opportunities to go hang out with you, even if it's just going to be the car ride from Albany to Portland. I wish that I seemed like more of a thankful kid, but I guess this will be one huge thank you, and something to show you how much you do mean to me, Mommy.
I love you so much, even though I know that I have my bad days and we scream and yell, but through it all, I'm happy that you're my mom and not anyone else. I'm happy you've supported me for the last 16 years, even though it was pretty hard.
But you're better than any daddy I could ever have had; you're the most trusting person I know, and I love you to death. I just can't wait until the day when you will go to high tea with the queen in British Columbia with my daughter, just like you and Grandma did when I was little. I love you.
Katie Hart
Shana Rodgers
Some people might love their mom for what she does for them such as cooking, cleaning, and just about everything else.
As this may be the case, I also love my mom for what she doesn't do. And it is those things that she doesn't do that have helped me grow to be a better person.
There are many different lessons I can learn from things my mom doesn't do, but I have three favorites.
First, my mom doesn't change herself to fit someone else's qualifications.
Second, my mom doesn't try to be more of a friend than a parent.
And third, my mom doesn't take the world's view of "success" - she's made her own by raising a family.
These three things that my mom doesn't do really set her apart in my mind as a great mom.
According to reliable sources (my grandparents), my mom has always been her own person. She never conformed to the mold that someone set for her.
This still continues today, as my mom doesn't change to impress. Held in these regards, I respect my mom a great deal for holding true to who she is, no matter what other people want her to be.
I've always had a close relationship with my mom, along with my other siblings. As a whole, my entire family is pretty closeknit.
We can have fun and laugh together, but my mom always knows when to be the parent and take control over a situation that may be out of hand.
In this way, we can still be friends as well as a family, but when it comes to it, my mom is my parent before my friend, and as a result I respect her more.
Before any of us kids were born, my mom made a decision to put off a career to raise a family. This was a great blessing to the whole family as we grew up having a mom at home to help us when we needed her.
Because of the decisions she's made, my family has grown closer and I individually have grown.
So besides all of the things my mom does for the family, she teaches me more by what she doesn't do, and I love her for it.
Taylar Rodgers
Sara Glaser
Twenty-five years ago, my mom held her first daughter in her arms. Two years later, a son joined the family. Ever since then, Mom has never worked outside our home.
It was 10 years later that I was born, followed soon after by my youngest brother.
My parents decided to home-school us kids because they wanted to teach us in a way that would honor God. Mom has homeschooled all four of us, K-12. A testimony of her excellent training is that my oldest brother graduated from college at the top of his class.
I am thankful for the many sacrifices Mom makes to home-school. Even while being a stay-at-home mom, she has successfully been a Creative Memories consultant for the last 20 years.
Mothers perceive things about their children that other people often don't. Three years ago, Mom noticed I used hand gestures frequently while I talked. This planted the idea in her head that I might like to play the harp. Her insight led to what is now one of the most important components of my life.
While I may not always show my appreciation, she is the best mother in the world. I know that I can cry on her shoulder whenever I want. Before music performances, she reminds me to trust in Jesus, and tells me that she is praying for me.
Of course, we have our small disagreements, one of them being the amount of time cookies should bake. Mom likes her cookies crisp (burnt), but I like them chewy (just perfect). But all in all, we get along really well!
A year and a half ago, Mom became a grandma. She loves her new role, and her granddaughter becomes the topic of many conversations. This September she'll be blessed with another grandbaby.
I am so thankful God gave us our mom. She puts her job as wife and mother first, a rare quality among today's women. Someday I hope to be a mother just like her.
Jessica Glaser
Terri Henry
I attribute most of who I have become to my mom, Terri, but I was surprised to find just how much of her I naturally have in me.
I mostly like music from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, so I will often be listening to a recently discovered, decades-old song, when my mom will come in the room and say, "I used to love that song! It was popular when I was in high school."
Another thing I happen to naturally like is surf gear. Turns out, so did my mom. Last year, I was in a store when I came across a neon poster that had several silhouettes of surfers on it and read: "The Endless Summer." Showing it to my mom, I mentioned that I wanted to buy it. She took one look at it and said that she had had that same poster when she was a teenager.
It is a very strange coincidence that I come across those things on my own without my mom introducing them to me.
Raising my three siblings and me is like, as my mom jokingly describes it, the old plate-spinning and balancing acts that used to appear on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
I am fortunate enough to not only like my mom because she is my mom, but also for the person she is. She may have a no-nonsense front, but she also has a great sense of humor.
She does not talk unless she has something good to say, and she is the most unselfish and loving person I know.
I cannot even begin to describe what my mom means to me, considering I am one of those people who deep down really cares about and loves others but has trouble expressing it outwardly. So there is no combination of words I could use. At least not a very good one, so I will have to settle for saying that I could not ask for a better mom. I have a tough act but great example to follow and live up to.
I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day!
Bethany Henry
Brandi McClary
My superhero, my mother, and my friend.
An entire day set aside for you to relax is well in need, indeed. Let it be the day you've been hoping for. Mothers everywhere are getting cards their children have either bought or made for them, or are getting nothing at all. But for you, my dear mom, I give you a letter filled with love.
Throughout everything you've been there for me. You are the best mom anyone could ask for. No matter what mistakes I have made, or choices I had to make, you have always helped me. When I become a mom, I want to be as open-minded and open-hearted as you.
Mom, we've been through so much and have learned from it all. I'm proud of you, and of our family. We have come a long way this year, for it has been rough on us all.
Did you know that you are the person who has taught me the most in this world? Secret family recipes, how to love someone with my whole heart, being a reed in the wind, helping me find myself, and so much more - it would take days to write.
Whenever I am so frantic that I'm running around the house with one shoe on and looking for the other, and find that it's been in my hand all along, I think of you.
When I hear Wilson Phillips, get lost in Target or wear mismatching clothes, I think of you. You are an amazing best friend, and an even better mom. You need to know that.
It's almost time for me to spread my wings and leave the nest, and as the words are about to leave my lips, I refrain. I cannot say them quite yet. Not yet.
KC, Miki, and I want you to know we love you with all our hearts. No amount of roses or candies could ever say that for us.
Have the most relaxing Mother's Day ever because you deserve it.
I love you, Mom.
Tedi Massey
Delia Guillen
When I'm a little kid:
My mom is the smile I wake up to see every morning.
She's the first face I saw when I was first born.
She's the one who fills my mind with pretty pictures of princesses and talking dogs while she reads to me.
My mom is the comfort I seek while battling the chickenpox.
She's the remedy to my late-night tummy aches, nightmares and fears.
My mom is all of those happy moments, playing in the snow, learning how to color, and hearing my little sister utter her first word.
She's the only one who will let me play in her high heeled shoes.
My mom is the one who pushes me to learn English (even though I obviously will never need it) and like it.
She's the one who makes vegetables look good enough to eat.
My mom is the best teacher ever, and I'm her little helper.
The one who encourages me to learn a little deeper, read a little further, and listen a little harder.
As I am growing up:
My mom is the shoulder I need when times are tough.
She's the one who stays up late to try and help me with my load of homework.
My mom is the one who helps me out while I'm developing, transitioning and changing.
The one who puts up with my sudden mood changes and anger rants.
She's the one who tells me everything is going to be OK.
My mom is the one who pushes me to keep on going, even though school is getting tough.
My mom is the inspiration in the battle against prejudice, a concept she taught me to fight well.
The one who encourages me to learn a little deeper, read a little further, and listen a little harder.
Now:
My mom is there when I need her.
She's the inspiration behind my every move.
The only one who sits through my rants about homework, teachers and classes.
My mom is the one who steers me in the right direction when I teeter off course.
She's the only one who tells me when I'm spending too much of my money.
The one who'll stick up for me in an unfair situation.
My mom is the one who pushes me to be the very best I can be.
The one who encourages me to learn a little deeper, read a little further, and listen a little harder.
She's the one who will love me unconditionally, regardless of my behavior, appearance or intellect.
I love my mom.
Melinda Guillen