Mother's Day memories

Mom, My Soft Place 

Mom, My soft place
If you needed an ear, she was there.
If you needed a smile, she’d make you laugh.
If you needed a helping hand, she gave both hands.
If you had a rough day,she had hugs with compassion.
Thank you Mom for being there.
Thank you Mom for every prayer.
Thank you Mom for your sweet love.
Thank you Mom for being my soft place.
Thank you Mom for being the best Mom ever.
My Mom mothered and nurtured sixteen children.
She was that soft place for each one of us.
She shared her sweet precious love into the next generation,
As Nana to our children.
What a Blessing!
My Mom loved Jesus and showed us Jesus love.
Just remembering her gentle sweet voice,
and her loving compassionate heart,
brings sweet music, comfort, and smiles,
to my heart and mind.
Thank you Mom for the legacy of love you left behind!
I am so Blessed to have had you for my Mom!
Sending Endless Hugs and Kisses to Heaven!
I Thank you, I Miss you, and I Love you Always and Forever Mom!
To all the Moms out there, I pray you share the love of Jesus,
with your children, your precious gifts from God!
Endless thanks to you Father God for your word and truth,
the Bible
and the gift of my Mom, my soft place. – Andrew Greco
 
---

Idabel M. (Gore) Myers
Even in the autumn of life, I have wonderful memories of my mom and miss her dearly. By the world’s standard, she was not a success in business or finance or glamour or any of the things that really don’t matter. But, in our family, she was the picture of success – an example of a Proverbs 31:10-31 woman. In other words, her family (my dad, myself and her grand children) came first. She worked hard, retired and then went to work again. When she could no longer work, she volunteered at the former Independence Regional Hospital. She taught us honesty, Christian values, and what’s important in life – people. Of course all of this was learned from her parents and grand parents. Perhaps my two favorite memories are when ‘101 Dalmatians’ came to the drive-in theatre in Kansas City. We sat in a line that never seemed to end so I could see that movie.  And when the G.I. Joe was first introduced, we didn’t have an extra $7 to buy one for me.  Without whining or complaining, I kept dreaming and one day not long after they first appeared, she walked in the door and handed me my first G.I. Joe. I have no idea where she came up with the money but suspect she did without something of her own to make a little boy very happy. Thank you, mom.  I miss you and will see you again one day! –  Dennis Myers

---

My Mother’s Heart

“Being a mother is walking around with your heart on the outside.” Craig Kilborn shared this thought from a friend in a recent interview. That pretty well describes my mom.

She was a resourceful fifties era mom.  She stretched the budget dollars and worked a few part-time jobs when Dad’s carpentry income was sparse. Holidays, first days of school, fun family times, special dresses – her heart was in the making of a loving home. 

Mom knew our aptitudes. I loved animals, flowers, and every baby I met. The two of us repaired the box turtle’s broken shell, revived tiny frozen hunting dog pups, and wincingly docked the tails of the family Cocker Spaniel’s litter. Mom shared her sewing talent with me, somehow managing to finish projects in spite of my urge to sew every time she sewed. She inspired my artistic side with the portfolio of sketches she kept from her youth. I think she knew our dreams before they were our own. 

We learned the value in working hard and helping others. She helped us find our first real jobs, taught us to save money and to share. We knew we had purpose in life. My memories are filled with helping, giving, nurturing, and sharing events in our family.

When I was fifteen, Dad broke Mom’s heart. Difficult as it was to put our life back on track, she moved forward and learned skills for a career that could support us.  It was a slow healing process but she would not give up on love and happiness.

As we grew up and started our own families Mom continued to share her heart.  She did remarry and even became “Mom” to step-grandchildren and foster children. Today she’s a veteran great grandma and her heart is still out there for all, from the one she writes and visits in prison to one who never quite gets caught up with the rent, or one she may soon meet. 

Hers is legacy of caring.  She knows very well the gift and the risk of walking through life with your heart on the outside. If she could start over, I think she would have it no other way. – Donna Maginness

---

How can I possibly describe what makes my Mom so special in 250 words or less?  Let’s see . . . she’s the strongest branch of our family tree (the rest of us are either twigs or nuts!).  If it weren’t for Mom, I know that I wouldn’t have made it through some of the more difficult times in my life.  She’s always been my best friend … she listens, she cares and she forgives.  Thanks for all of the wonderful memories, Mom.  I love you.  Happy Mother’s Day! – Sandy Gulley

---

Kelli Kellinger
My mom is probably the best mom ever! She does tons of stuff for me when I need help with something on my home work. She took me to Worlds of Fun, and most parents might not want to ride a certain ride, but mom rode the scrambler with me after I told her not to. How sweet is that? I don’t know many moms that would do that! ( Only my mom, of course!) And she stands up for me when I want to come home from my dads, also. She is the nicest! My mom works very hard at her job as a CMA. She put herself through a long hard college career and has worked for the same doctors for about five years! She is smart, she is pretty, she is dependable, and best of all, she’s my mom! On this Mother’s Day, I just want the world to know that I consider myself a very lucky twelve year old girl. Thanks mom! ©I LOVE MY MOM!!!!!!!!!!© — Justice Jones
 
---

A Definition of Mom                                                  
How does one describe a mother?  There are so many adjectives that can be used. According to Webster’s a mother is:  ‘a female parent. A woman who has borne a child’. That definition by no means covers it. I know several women who never experienced nine months of pregnancy but are in every sense a mother and the adjectives apply to them just the same.

My generation was blessed with stay-at-home moms. Mom was the first one you saw in the morning and the last one you saw at night as she listened to your prayers. I had the security of knowing that regardless of what happened to me, my mom would always be the first to tell me it would be all right as she held me tight and wiped away my tears. What do I remember about mom? I remember her hugs, her laughter, and her gentle reminders of my missteps. I remember her combing my hair and her encouraging words that my freckles were beautiful. She would tell me that when I looked at them I should remember that each showed where an angel had kissed me and not where a cow had kicked bran in my face like my dad would say. Mom would read to me, color with me, teach me to sew and most importantly listen to me. She cooked and baked from scratch and taught me how. I wanted to be a mother just like her when I grew up. I hope I was. — Jan Huntsinger

---

My Mom was not famous. She did not drive a car or ever take a trip in a plane. She lived her life within a few miles of where she was born. The most important thing in her life was her family. She excelled in being a wife, mother and Maw-Maw.

I never heard her complain about cooking and cleaning for a family of seven.She was content with her life and lived it to the fullest. She had a strong faith that she shared with everyone in her life. Her heart was very tender and she cried easily, but she was very strong when you needed her the most.

Her favorite place to be was in her home surrounded by family. You were hugged coming in the door and again when you left. She always said “no left turns and call when you get there” as you went out the door.

If you were sick she held a cool wash cloth to your forehead and gave you 7-UP at room temperature to drink. She made the best cocoa, scalloped potatoes, brown gravy and pan cookies. She was the heart of our family and made every day special. Not just the holidays.

The five children that grew up in the house on Spring Street were privileged and blessed to call “SHIRLEY COMER” Mom. – Cindy Comer Bush, Mark, Randy, Scott and Tim’s sister

---

My 75 year old mother broke her front tooth on Christmas Eve.  She waited two months for insurance authorization. In that time, my brother became ill and was placed in ICU.  She never left his side.  He recovered! She rescheduled and the next day she got the news that her 86 year old sister was very ill.  She left for Nebraska and returned after the funeral. 

   During my father’s last years of life, she cared for him and put his needs well above her own.  One morning my dad called and said my mom was very ill. I took her to the hospital and they admitted her for emergency surgery.  She recovered, then continued to care for my father until his death. The next month, mom revealed she had put off cataract surgery for months, but she could not delay any longer.   

    My mom never complains, she only makes light of her situations.  On Christmas she arrived for dinner with her toothless smile and jokingly stated, “Santa must not have gotten my letter because he didn’t bring me my two front teeth.” On another visit, she opened her door with her hair in curlers wrapped in a red bandana; she curled up her upper lip and said, “Hey, Ethel wanna get lunch?”

    When Mom learns that her acts of sacrifice and love are the qualities that make her a very special mother, I know she will flash “a million dollar smile” with or without her tooth. – Janet Simpson

---

My MOM

 Leita Rauh is my mother – she lived 87 years during which she was devoted to her husband, Ernie, and her two children.  It seemed to me my parents were always happy – they were always together. They were married 58 years.

   Mom fought an uphill battle with Alzheimer’s for 8 years. I was very close to my Mom. I lived through this disease watching it take her away from me one day at a time. Toward the end she couldn’t speak but Mom was known for her beautiful smile which required no words. Mom had 5 major surgeries. I was with her through them all and never heard her once complain. She tried so hard and maintained her dignity the best she could.  She had so much courage. She was amazing!

   I had a special bond with Mom – we understood each other and could communicate even when this horrible disease was destroying her. She knew me till her life ended and for that, I am grateful. I am proud of Mom and who she was.  She taught me about courage and what it meant to “endure to the end.” She made me a better person. In her last years, I saw Mom almost every day – she was a blessing to me that I cherish. She reached out toward me in whatever ways she could – often in ways that only she and I understood. Mom taught me about “unconditional love.”  I am thankful for my Mom. I love her, and I miss her. – Sharon Rauh

---

Ruth – beautiful name, beautiful person.

Like Ruth in the Bible, she has shown friendship, beauty, loyalty and industriousness. She is a friend to many people. She shows both inner beauty in all she does as well as visible beauty in from the gentle smilee she bestows on everyone she meets.

She is fiercely loyal to her family, always caring and always praying for us while handing our encouraging words.

She has always had a great sense of humor – joking, teasing and playful. She was just a teenager when I was born so I was lucky to have her to play house with me and hide and seek. We would just as likely find her hiding in a tree as behind one. And playing the role of the ice cream cone fairy, hiding drippy cones on hot summer afternoons for us to find. Reading stories to us on a blanket under the plum tree in the backyard.

She didn’t laugh at me when I insisted I saw the Easter Bunny in the garden or thought we grew hamburger plants in that same garden.

She asks for little, showing her firm independence. Like mowing her own yard, painting her walls (and closets) when she gets bored, check her own gutters (yes, on a ladder).

Mom’s life story would be a best seller – so many things to say. If I could be half the person she is, I would be content and proud. I love you mom – Connie Barker

---

Memories of Mom – Bert Shockley

My mom was quite simply, the best. She was the most wonderful person in my world. She wasn’t perfect, but close.

Kind, patient, funny, gentle, smart, charming, generous and beautiful. My best friend ever and my favorite shopping partner. She was always there to put a Band-Aid on a skinned knee or a scratch. She was always available to help train a new puppy, and she usually did all the clean up. She wasn’t a scolder, she was a discusser and when it was discussion time, I knew I was in trouble.

She was there for me during the good times in my life and during the many upheavals in my life too.

People were drawn to her because of her sunny disposition and her art of listening and showing concern. She was my rock and my confidant through all of her life.

Mom knew the right thing to say to make things better. I’ve never met anyone like her and I know I never will.

Mothers are God’s most precious gift to us. – Sharon Gist

---

 I would like to write a short memorial for my mother for Mother’s day,  It is to honor her since she passed away July 1999.

I was adopted when I was six and a half years old. Nadine Stufflebeam  gave me so much love  and I was so fortunate to have been in such a loving family.

I thank her for the good times we shared and all the memories of her.

Love grows and she will remain in my heart forever. All the money in the world can never replace a beloved mother.  – Linda Brown

---

My mother passed away three years ago this August 11. She was 83-years-old and the most wonderful, loving and giving person that I ever knew.

She had eight children and outlived four of them. She was raised in a very large family and they were poor. She didn’t go to high school because she had no shoes. There were eight children in her family and she outlived all of them but one.

She was always giving to others and sharing what she had. She baked pies for everyone. She raised us with a lot of values. She taught us all how to cook and clean. She was always there for me. When she baked, she always made us cinnamon crust. She always made us all individual small loaves of bread.

She canned everything from our garden. She washed our clothes on a wringer type washer on an open porch even in the winter. She never complained about her work no matter how hard it was.

She loved all of her children and our dad. Right before she died she told us that she had a wonderful life with all of us and dad and she would go back and do it all again. We all miss her terribly but we have the promise of seeing her again. She was a Christian and so are we. – Sherry Wilson

---

Mother’s Sparkling Eyes

Even though my mother has been gone for over 19 years, I still think of her, usually weekly. My mother was a very loving, attentive woman, one of the mostly nurturing women I’ve ever known.

At 11-years-old I just knew that if mother would sew a Lady and The Tramp skirt for me, my life would improve so much, I’d have more friends and be admired.

We were poor, mother didn’t readily have money to go out and buy the fabric to make the skirt for me. I was relentless hounding her to make the skirt. We walked up to the fabric shop more than once so I could adore the material. Mother said as soon as she could save the money she’s make it for me.

Looking back I know she did ironing for someone to get the money. When she finished my skirt, I was so happy, I twirled around in it, my can-can rustling in the wind. “Thank you mother. I love it,” I joyously exclaimed.

I could see her eyes glistening because she loved to make me happy. Years later my friend’s daughter popped in, she was barefoot and mother gave her an old  pair of my shoes. Mother said she couldn’t let her go shoeless.

When my son Vic was born, mother’s heart was so filled with love for him, her eye’s sparkled. Mother we miss you this Mother’s Day. Thanks for your love so strong that didn’t go away. – Jeanine Halliburton

---

The best mother/mother-in-law in the whole world

Hazel Halliburton was her name, she raised six great children, the three youngest for several years after her beloved husband Kenneth died, young at 55.

My husband Don is her second eldest son. A lot of mothers wouldn’t be thrilled that their son fell in love with a woman with a child, a woman three years older than he. If Hazel didn’t like it, I never knew she didn’t. She told me that it would be good for Don to have the responsibility of Vic and I. It was time for him to grow up, he was easily influenced by his wild friends.

Hazel and I had a lot of talks and I realized that she was an understanding woman and mom. This family was so different than mine, we were very emotional and they weren’t. Don says that you knew you were loved but it just wasn’t said or much affection was shown.

Hazel immediately became grandma and she did it well – treating Vic just like all of her other grandchildren and she had done it before, so she knew how to do it.

My mother-in-law was a great hostess. We went to Butler and stayed many times. Hazels’ hot rolls and cooking were homemade and delicious. She made all who entered her home feel welcome. I admired her so. Yearly she’d come up to Independence and I’d take her Christmas shopping, so enjoyable.

We’ll always remember you Hazel dear, my number one mother-in-law, year after year. – Jeanine Halliburton

---

My mother lives in Jamesport, Missouri, and she will be 84-years-old this May.

She is very special to me and to my family, as well as the entire community of Jamesport. She grew up and has lived in Jamesport most of her life and is a wonderful Christian lady who finds peace and happiness in using her talents to help other people.

In my mind, my mother was the perfect wife and mother. She loved my family deeply and took such good care of him until he passed away. She has so many talents. She is probably the best cook in Daviess County, and she entertains family and friends often.

She sews, plays the piano and sings, reads, has a beautiful flower garden, teaches a Sunday school class, does a crossword puzzle daily and about all she watches on television is the news and Jeopardy.

My mother is always doing something for others. She bakes a cherry pie tot take to a couple in the community who are struggling financially. She drives to Cameron to take one of her friends to a doctors appointment, and the list goes on and on.

My mother has so many close friends, probably because she is a friend to many. Even though my mother is so busy doing things for other people, she still finds time to take care of herself.

She goes to the beauty shop once a week and she is a very snappy dresser. She doesn’t spend a lot of money on herself, but she always looks nice. My mother has never thought of herself as being pretty, but to me she is beautiful, probably because her inner beauty shines through to the outside as well. – Eilene Spears

---

Tribute to my mom

My mother, Bettie Langford, is a beautiful lady. Yes, she’s pretty on the outside too, but what makes her so special is her inner beauty. As I look at my mother’s life, I would rank her priorities in this order: 1) God, 2) marriage, 3) children, 4) helping others, 5) hobbies/career.

At 83-years-of-age, my mother still teaches a Sunday school class and last summer, she was the director of Vacation Bible School. She reads God’s word and prays daily. She is multi-talented and uses her talents for God.

My mother adored my dad. She would often say to my twin sister and me, “I don’t know why your dad picked me when he could have had any girl in school.”

But my sister and I knew exactly why he picked mom. She is the epitome of what is described in Proverbs 31 as a virtuous woman. She is energetic, thrifty, a hard worker and generous. She puts her hope in God, reverences Him, and focuses on helping others.

If you were to drop off the ‘m’ from the word ‘mothers’, you would be left with the word ‘others’ and this is my mother’s motto. It is this love for others that makes my mother special.

I would admire this beautiful lady even if she was not my mother, but I happen to be one of two very lucky girls to call her “mom.”

---

Memoirs of mom – Olive Schoff

Mom took in washings and ironings so our family had discretionary funds for music lessons and vacations. As she ironed, she memorized and sang favorite hymns that became engrained in my heart as well.

I looked forward to the aroma from the kitchen when I walked through the back door after school – knowing Mom had baked something special, often from one of the fruit trees or berries in the yard.

At age five, when my brother my her a hat out of construction paper and lace, she wore it to church with pride.

We rode the train for vacations (since my dad worked for the railroads and got passes). I remember we opened and devoured the delicious lunch mom had packed in a shoebox within minutes of leaving the train station.

Having forgotten my school homework, I ran back home to retrieve it and found my mom on her knees by her bed, praying for my brother and me.

Mom was often at the dining table penning thank you notes and teaching our family the gift of expressing appreciation.

Mom took us to visit elderly friends in nursing homes so my brother and I would experience firsthand the gifts that older persons have to share.

Decorating cookies at Christmas, putting together May baskets to surprise neighbors, playing games, building tents from chairs and sheets, sharing lunch and stories on a blanket under our favorite tree – they all happened because mom made each day special! – Cynthia Schnell

---

Memoirs of Mom

My mom, Maxine Mary, was the only child of Frank and Mary. She had a pretty difficult childhood, as both parents were alcoholics.

She didn’t have the good fortune of having a sibling to buddy up with when things got tough as they often do in alcoholic homes. She used to say “if life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.”

She also saw a half filled cup, half full instead of half empty. She learned early in life to overcome obstacles and not let them overcome her. She was well acquainted with heartbreak.

She didn’t finish high school and married my dad at 17 and had my brother Richie Lee. He was gold to her. He died of cancer when he was only 6-years-old. I was four and brother Jimmy was three. I can’t imagine losing my baby so young, but mom was strong minded and willed and she went on to raise me and Jim and Mary Ruth.

Mary was a baby when our brother died. I remember always feeling safe if I was with mom. I learned strength from her and honor and respect. She was a Girl Scout leader. I’ll never forget her killing a big copperhead snake when we were at Girl Scout Camp. I thought she was the epitome of fearlessness!

I was so proud of her and wanted to be just like her. One Easter, we got fertilized chicken eggs and put them under a heat light to hatch. When the chicks started pecking on their shells, she decided they must need her help. Needless to say, they all died because they weren’t ready to hatch yet.

From that time on, she used that as a lesson for us kids to never hurry nature. She was also president of our PTA at Santa Fe Trail Elementary. She always found energy for us kids, school, birthday parties, holidays were so much fun!

She always told me I was pretty but she’d say “pretty is as pretty does!”

Always an encourager with a big, beautiful smile, but definitely strict in critical areas. Finally, the heartache she could hardly bare came. My father left us after 21 years of marriage. Once again she overcame overwhelming grief. She went on to marry Glen and had Barbara Ann at the age of 42.

On my 21st birthday I was in St. Mary’s Hospital and had a child born out of wedlock. Mom brought me a birthday cake with 21 candles. I gave the child up for adoption, another grief she suffered – only this time we suffered the loss together.

Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a complete mastectomy on her left side. After, she had 20 consecutive colbolt treatments at St. Luke’s. I was with her almost everytime. Years 1978-1979 was a brutal struggle with this awful disease and it finally won the war.

She was only 52 as she died with me at her side. I am 60 years old now and look back at so many memories... I still miss her a lot. My last question to her was, “mom, do you still love Jesus?” She said, “Yes, I do.”

See you soon mom – Georgia Ann Harris Ferrin Fulmer

---

Ethel Glee Newman was born in Reading, Kansas, on June 27, 1915. Due to a bad bout of scarlet fever suffered by her mother during the pregnancy, my mother was born nearly blind with cataracts.

After 13 eye operations it was proved she would never see or be able to attend public school, so she was taken to the Kansas State School for the Blind at the age of six. This was a usual practice.

My father, her future husband, arrived shortly after suffering a blinding accident of a thrown rock. He had spent time at the Bell Memorial Hospital as they experimented to try to save the other eye.

So, totally blind he joined her in class at the age of eight. The other children at the school became a family, since they spent more time with each other than at home. They were from all over the state of Kansas.

These friendships lasted their entire lives. The two were married in Fort Scott, Kansas, and dads’ folks helped them go into the grocery business. They stayed in the grocery store until the ration stamps during the war made it impossible for them to operate.

Mother had many sayings, as I suppose all mothers do. She had me convinced she knew what I was doing all the time, even when separated from her. I tried this trick with my own children, it didn’t work.

Neither of my parents ever griped because they couldn’t see and never ever did they complain. I never heard them say the words “we are poor” or the dreaded words “we can’t afford that.” They simply convinced me I didn’t need that particular item.

We closed the store. We girls were sent to spend the winter at my grandparents farm in Reading, where I was introduced to things like coal oil lamps and no running water. I already knew about outdoor toilets. They worked in Kansas City Association for the Blind war work. Mother could see a tiny bit by holding an item close to the one eye which had a little sight.

She was quickly made supervisor over the two story building on Southwest Blvd. Most of her classmates were already working there by the time they began. They quickly sent for us and we made our home on the westside of 1633 Summit, which stands to this day.

I didn’t realize until I got old myself, what brave people my parents were to pick up and move to Kansas City and begin life again, totally alien to what they had known. — Virginia Ann Geier