Readers share thoughts on Mom

With Mother's Day just around the corner, Branson area residents were eager to share their thoughts about the person who provided care, comfort, a strong work ethic and good advice.

Lucky said, "My mother has survived five cancers in her 81 years of life,"

Said Nikki, "My mom is my dad's primary caregiver. He survived Stage 4 lymphoma and is wheelchair bound. She literally does it all. She fixes things around the house, takes care of her family and sells vintage items in her flea market booth at The Flea Hag. She's always doing stuff for everyone. I hope I can be half the woman she is. She is so hardworking, caring, loving and amazing. She took care of me through two ACL surgeries and held my hand through bouts of depression. The best advice I've learned through her is to give yourself and the people you love some grace. Take care of your family. Smile always, love often."

Hexlie shared, "Before my mom, Mariah, met my step dad, she was a single mom. I'm an only child after three miscarriages. She worked three jobs to make sure I had what I wanted and needed. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents because of how much she worked. However, my mom never once told me she was too tired to go do things with me when she had time off. Every day off she had, we would go do something around town –shows, mini-shopping trips, SDC, whatever we could afford to do. She's an incredibly loving and caring person, and I'm forever grateful for being able to call her mom."

Leara said, "My mother is an angel now. I considered my mother a saint. She did so much for us kids. She was dealt a bad hand when it came to her second marriage but that didn't stop her from being the best mom. She had a stroke before I turned 21. I had to step up and start taking care of my mother and raising my younger siblings. But, through it all, all the way to her last breath, she never let being partially paralyzed from the stroke stop her. Not a day goes by that I don't cry for my momma. She was such a good person. Her heart was so huge."

Kimberly noted, "Before my momma became an angel, she was the most hard-working, caring, loving mom a girl could ask for. My mom was my go-to when something hard came about because I could talk to her more rationally, and she had more calm about her than my dad did. Since my mom's passing, it has been very difficult, but I know in my heart I will see her again one day and we will rejoice in heaven together. Love you, momma."

Bud Lynn fondly recalled his mother, sharing, "My mom, Pauline Lynn, raised two boys after my father, a World War II Army Air Corps Veteran, passed away early in my life. After our dad passed away, we traveled from Wyoming to Missouri to live with my two aunts and grandparents on their farm in 1949. My mom always appeared resilient and strong. She seemed to me to always maintain her strength, although now I realize that this had to have been the most awful time in her life. As I was growing up, she was selfless, nurturing and unwavering in her support, as she was the rock and confidante. My mom also managed the 160-acre cattle farm while working full-time as a bank executive. She was patient, compassionate and wise, often putting our well-being before her own, with her affection felt through consistent, gentle guidance and unconditional love."

Kim shared her thoughts, "This advice came to me from my former mother-in-law. She was amazing and had quite the twisted sense of humor. She had four children in five and a half years, so she had to come up with something. If your child gets out of hand, pinch their ear lobes and hold on to their ear lobes while you're talking to them. There were a few reasons behind this. One, they couldn't really get away and they had to listen to you. And, two, pinching their ear lobes doesn't leave a mark. I share the advice whenever I can as it was quite effective when I was raising my three."

Annie noted, "Happy Mother's Day to my sweet mama. Thank you for teaching me the ways of God and showing me it is better to give than to receive. All the time you spend in prayer, I am thankful for your daily walk with God. We are standing on His promises and know He has great plans for His children. The best is yet to come."

Said Gracelin, "I think the thing that makes my mom so special is definitely her kindness. She always puts others before her own needs and is such a great mentor. I would say the best advice she's given me is 'always keep going and do your best.'" 

LaDona Weathers shared, "Beverly Jane Johnson kept an irrational, joyful spirit until her last breath. She was fierce and had immeasurable faith, tenacity and joy. I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was 25 so when I was diagnosed last year, I fought for both of us.

Michelle of All Access Branson said of her mom, Joann. "My mom is amazing and known by most. She is my best friend. We work together every day except Wednesday and Sunday.  Wednesday we have breakfast and tootle around town. She has grown a mini empire built on her experience and passion! She is the matriarch of the family. I adore her and will forever have her back."

Valerie Seitz said of her mom, "My mom was resilient, hard-working, made lots of mistakes, but loved us fiercely. She died three days before my 44th birthday, and I found my birthday card on her bedside table, because she, like me, always got things in advance. I carry that card in my Bible because it is signed 'I love you dearly, Mom.' And, my final Mother's Day card was buried with her because I love you dearly, too, momma. Always have, always will!"

We wish each and every mom a very Happy Mother's Day!