Mother's Day Messages

Special Breed

Mothers are a Special Breed; they

just 'bout have to be.

The way we kids want this and that,

like maybe some fish, a bird, a dog

or a cat. Of course you know who

has to care for them when our promises

of "Honest Mom, I'll feed it every day" all too

soon fades away.

Most of all what we kids are famous for

is not listening to Mom and what

she has to say.

Ya know it's too bad we don't realize

what a great person we have in our Mom

while we're at home, instead of finding

out when we are grown.

How much she has given of herself and

gone without, just to make sure

we kids have the best

that is possible.

Mom you are something great indeed,

clearly the BEST of that

special breed.

— Sandy Lee Masessa Crabtree, May 1973

• Carmelita Agajona dela Cruz was my mother. Loving, attentive and self-sacrificing is how I would describe her. When I was a child, I recall not dreaming about being anybody else but like her … a mother. Her name should be right next to the word Mother in the dictionary. She was everything a mother should be.

A mother is not only the one who gave birth to you, she is the one who raised you, the one you hugged you when you’re down, the one who prays for your safety every moment of the day, the one who celebrates your joy and hurts when you are in sorrow, the one who stitches back your favorite dress, shirt or pants, the one who takes the time to make your favorite meal on your birthday so it will be EXTRA SPECIAL, the one who teaches you respect and how to earn it, the one who taught you that going to church is the most important event on your Sunday, the one who trains you how to dress, to conduct yourself and to speak with kindness, the one who supports you on every decision that you make and the mistakes that sometimes come with it and most importantly, SHE is the one who thinks of you from the time she wakes up until she sets for the night.

There were no monuments, roads, buildings or hospital wings named after them and once a year, we all take our time to remember them, but is it enough? I know that there are no words, no awards or gifts that would be appropriate to match all the things that they do but we can all agree, they should be celebrated every day, in small ways we can, or try to, in their remaining time. They are not going to be around forever to be our mother but even in spirits, they will always be our MOTHER.

Mother’s Day is not long enough to comprise all the honor in this world to thank them. I encourage you to take the time off your busy day to make this day the best she’ll ever have. Don’t let the time pass you by, where you will only see her in your dreams and feel her hugs when you close your eyes.

— Leilani Medearis

• I can sum up my mom in one short story.

Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of my mom’s passing. I still miss her every day. She was a woman of steadfast faith no matter how many valleys she traveled in her life.

In January she had not been feeling well so we went to her family doctor, and he ran several tests. The results were all negative. In November that same year, she was much worse. The day I took her to her appointment, her doctor had tears in his eyes as he gave her the results of the X-ray he had ordered just two days before. She had terminal lung cancer.

As he was apologizing and overcome with guilt for not performing the chest X-ray back in January which could have potentially saved her life, my mom said “Oh, that’s okay doctor, don’t feel bad. You’re a busy man and you can’t remember everything. It looks like you need a hug.” And at that point, my mom gave him a hug. Three months later she died just after reaching her 70th birthday.

As I turned 70 myself this year, I am still moved by the memory of my mom’s compassion for others.

Missing my mom on Mother’s Day.

— Barb Neal, Hayden Lake

• I lost my mother to cancer 10 years ago. In the process of cleaning out her home, we found several journals that she had written about her children.

One journal entry dated Nov. 5, 1985 reads as follows: "Election Day -- I was explaining to 3-year-old Paul that we were going to vote this morning. He didn't understand what 'vote' is ('Is it a big 'boat' mommy.') I explained that voting is what we do when we can't decide where to go out for dinner and Daddy asks everybody where they want to go. Paul told me when we got to the polls, 'Mommy vote for Chucky Cheese."

This year I am so thankful for having a wonderful mother that taught me the value and importance of voting; and my 4-year-old agrees, Chucky Cheese is a pretty solid vote.

— Paul Amador, Coeur d'Alene

• My daughter, Suzanne, has no children of her own, but is a great mom to her friends' children and, especially, to her boyfriend's children. She pushed the limits when she was a child, so she knows all the tricks. None of them ever got away with anything but her undying love and they knew it. As adults, they still call her for advice. Happy Mother's Day to all surrogate mothers.

— P. Lykins

• Happy Mother's Day Mom! I hope you feel all the love you deserve today. While you're at it, put some cream in your coffee this morning, binge watch a Netflix show and enjoy a bag of candy.

I love you,

Janis

— Janis Griffin

• A tribute to Mimi and the legacy she gifted her family

"If one has a hybrid tree, it should produce quality fruit for many generations.” This is a tribute to my mom, Henrietta Hamlet (known as Mimi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren). Mimi was a hybrid mom! Her mother died when Mimi was 12 and she always longed for the closeness and guidance of her mother. She and my dad had three daughters, of which I am the youngest. Mimi dedicated her life to her children, grandchildren, friends and family. She was one of a kind, leaving her family with traits that have been absorbed and adopted through three generations. She was unselfish, welcomed all our friends, available for emotional support and created a home of comfort where we could be ourselves. She believed hugs and a supportive touch are important to connect and encourage.

My pride carries on through our three daughters, Teresa Runge, Trina Runge Wecker and Teri Runge Nipp, who are as kind, gentle, loving and fantastic mothers. Each of their lives are unselfishly devoted to their children and their families. Their hugs, smiles and gentle spirit are part of their nature. Their homes are filled with fun and encouragement.

Watching our seven grandchildren grow and develop their personalities, I am so proud to say, the best traits have passed through to each one of them.

— Donna Hamlet Runge

• Happy third Mother's Day in heaven to my dear Mom, and happy first Mother's Day in heaven to my precious mother-in-law, Dorla. I hope the two of you are chatting up a storm like you did in our backyard swing. Steve's mom was always more than willing to be my mom too and the pain of her loss is still quite fresh since she only crossed the bridge on Feb. 17. She welcomed me with open arms and never judged me. I didn't know I would miss you so much, Mom Dorla! The world would be a better place with more gentle, loving souls like you and you have given me a wonderful example to live up to. Don't you worry as we are all taking care of each other and are so happy you are free from pain and reunited with all your siblings and other family members in heaven!

— Brenda Hanson, Coeur d'Alene

• "Chin up, chest out," my Grandma Bert would say to remind me to be strong. She always believed in me more than I believed in myself. This is our first Mother's Day without her, but her relentless support and unconditional love lives in all of us, especially my dad, who she adored.

"A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck," my Gramma Eileen would sing. I can still hear her, doting on her youngest grandbaby (me). I'll never forget helping her on Christmas Eve. One year she handed me a box, which I dutifully wrapped. Then she slapped on the tag, "To Devin From Grandma." She had me wrap my own present! Oh she thought she was so funny! Miss you Gramma.

Still here to listen to my woes and love me every day is my mom, Vicki Heilman, who reads every article I write. She's a gentle creature who will turn the world upside down for her children. We wouldn't want her any other way. Her laughter never fails to make us laugh. Her love keeps our hearts full. She helps us remember that every day is a new day, and for that I will always be grateful. Happy Mother's Day, my beautiful Mom. You are the heart of our family.

— Devin Weeks, Post Falls

• I was adopted at birth by a loving couple who provided me with a wonderful life. They were the only parents I ever knew and I loved and admired them. I also had a birth mother who was not married. She had made the difficult and courageous choice to provide me with the best life possible by relinquishing her parental rights through the private adoption process. I loved and admired her for doing what was best for my future. My birth mother sent my adoptive parents my original birth certificate when she got married.

I never looked for my birth mother because: I felt it would have been an insult and disappointment to my adopted family if I had done that; and, if my existence had been a carefully guarded secret, I did not want to cause stress for my birth mother. My adoptive parents are deceased, and so is my husband, and it is likely that my birth mother is also deceased. I can no longer “ruffle and feathers,” but I might surprise some half-siblings.

To Wanett (Horn) McLain of Santa Barbara and Port Hueneme, Calif. in 1949 when she married, and to Dorothy (Scates) Cunningham of Santa Monica, Calif. in 1946 when I was born, a sincere and heart-felt “Thank you” to both of you from your daughter, Sherry Jean Horn/Kathleen Ann Cunningham, and Happy Mother’s Day! I will see you on the other side.

-Kathy Marcus, Hayden

• Happy Mother’s Day to the greatest mother ever - Karen Huber! May your day be filled with love, attention and an abundance of lavish gifts! P.S. my gift is better than Marcy’s and Becky’s.

-Keith Huber, Augusta, Ga.

• To Karen Huber: The best Muthwa – ever. You are the best thing that happened to all of us kids, and have been there for me (and us) a million more times than you should have had to. You are our family’s rock, inviting and including all, making sure relatives (even shirt tails!) know each other and stay connected. What would we have done without you? I am forever glad that we’ll never have to know! I couldn’t love you more. XOXO.

– Becky Schroeder