Happy Mothers Day Mom!

By: Contribute Last Updated: May 8, 2009

This week's winners were drawn from last week's Mother's Day Contribution Contest!  We had some great Valpo kids young and old that have shared with all of us how great their mom is, and how blessed they are to have them in their life. Contest winners will be awarded prizes from several local businesses!

You can read some of the great stories that were submitted in the article below.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom. I want to say thank you for finally coming home from Florida, where it is always warm and sunny, for your Mother's Day picnic. (where it was not surprisingly cold ). There are so many things that you gave to me, I don't know where to begin. Thank you for my sense of humor, my good spelling skills, my ability to be totally laid back all of the time. Also, thank you for teaching my siblings and me how to bet our only dollars (and lose)to play 31 with all the grown-ups!

Thank you also for letting dad cut my hair into a boy cut in first, second, and third grade...(what were you really thinking?) Thanks for giving me super cool relatives, and for driving us to Florida each year (with no car seats, money, and frozen van walls) to see them. Thank you also for cleaning my kitchen every once in a while when you are in town. Thank you for never getting mad that we stole money out of your purse every day.(you knew, right?) Thank you for making fried chicken twice a year...Thank you for giving Pete all the athletic ability...Cari got some too, not fair. Thanks for always being asleep when I arrived home. Thanks for buying our groceries growing up (cottage cheese, pickles, and olive loaf). I appreciate you every day...but most of all Mom, I am grateful for one obvious thing.....that you share your condo at New Smyrna with us! (Just Kidding) Love you a ton! Happy Mother's Day! Cathy

 

Jim Paglia on his wife, Sandy

I was struggling to find the appropriate gift this Mother's Day for Sandy, my wife, who desires nothing, and deserves far more than I give. Then, a wise fellow suggested I honor her by acknowledging her on this site. Her she is pictured with our children Tate, Kailey (Snow White in the Chesterton production) and me. Happy Mother's Day, Sandy!

 

Missing my Mom-Carol McCurnin

My mom is the greatest.  When I was young I wanted nothing more than to be exactly like her.  She is beautiful, but more importantly, she is very, very kind. Growing up in our home, nice mattered.  We moved to Valpo a few years ago.  Before that, I saw my mom and dad every week.  We had many, many fun meals together, and we’ve  done our share of shopping, too.   No mall or outlet is out of our reach when we’re together.  We share our good times, and some difficult times, too.  When something happens, she is the first person I want to tell.  She feels the depth of my happiness and sadness.  She is by biggest supporter, but still keeps me in line somehow, even though she is over 1000 miles away.  We had a very tough year.  She lost her mom, my beloved grandmother, on Christmas eve and we almost lost my dad last summer.  By the grace of God, Dad is healthy again and still with us. She and my dad are living a very active lifestyle in retirement in The Villages in Florida.  I miss her every day but am comforted somewhat by the thought that they are able to enjoy their retirement and have so many wonderful friends and activities.  I look forward to the day when we can live closer and share more time together.  With the demands of work and family, I don’t get to talk with her nearly enough.  I know she is there for me and, despite the distance, I feel her love everyday.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom

With All My Love,

Kathy

Chris Mahlmann about his whole family with mom Loretta Finnegan - A.K.A. Omi!

My mom was and still is the greatest influence in my life and role model that I humbly aspire to every day.  A constant ray of sunshine in every life that she touched, she lived for her kids and grandkids, has been there at a moment's notice for all of us no matter the need or the hour, was an instant friend to whomever she met, and somone that I see every day in the smiles of my kids and my family, despite her not physically being with us anymore.  Thanks mom for keeping us in line, for teaching us your positive perspective on life, for being the funny charachter that you always have been that made us laugh every day, and for the incredible strength that made you the rock that our families all were built upon.  I love and miss you dearly.

Kristel Messer about her grandmother Helen Cardewell, shown here with her cousins

Helen Cardwell is the mother of 6, grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 1.  When it comes to mothering, she's got it down pat!  She's always there for each one of her kids and grandkids, no matter where on our planet they may be.  She will travel the world to visit her kids and grandkids- including going all the way to Japan! She makes a great travel partner too, which I discovered in 2003 when we went together to tour Italy!  Thanks for everything Grams, we love you- Happy Mothers Day!!

 

Logan Tippins about his mother Judy Tippins

Judy Tippins is a great momom, and mother-in-law! We love you! Thanks for all that you do. Happy Mother's Day.

 

Rebecca Tomerlin about her and her mother in 2008

My mother and I voted early in together in the 2008 General Election.

 

Kyle Granat about his mother Olga Granat shown here with his sister Taylor

From a very young age my Mom has inspired me. I can attribute my loves of reading, programming, webpage design, and technology to specific projects that we worked on when I was a kid. I have so much to thank my mom for that I can't even begin to count the times she's been there for me. I'm extremely lucky to have a mom as awesome as her.

Frank about his wife (and mother), Patricia

Whether it's Mother's Day or not, I want Patti to know that we appreciate all she does for us! We love you Patti! Thank you for always being there, you're my best friend.

 

Frank about his daughter, Amie


This is my oldest daughter's first Mother's Day! She gave birth just after this was taken, on December 19, 2008- two weeks late! Happy Mother's day Amie! You're a great mom- and you were a great kid too.


Melissa Westphal Benefiel on her mother and daughter

My daughter (Katelyn Benefiel) and my mother (Sharon Westphal) -  “My mom watches my daughter while my husband and I work.  She is essentially helping us raise our daughter.  She enhances my daughter’s life beyond what words can capture.  My mother is the most generous and loving person I’ve ever known!  I stand on the shoulders of my wonderful mother!”

My daughter (Katelyn Benefiel) and myself – “Mothers Day is also about the person who made you a mother, your child.  In my eyes, my daughter, Katelyn, is so special.  She is one of the most kind people I’ve ever met!  I am strengthened to be a better person because of her.  I get to enjoy childhood all over again because of her.  Mothers Day is an opportunity for moms to be grateful for their children too!”

 

Natalie's note to her mom

I am especially thankful this Mother’s Day to be able to share it with my mom!

 

Recovering from a very recent battle with colon cancer that shook our family to the core, she is doing very well and, thankfully, won’t have any chemotherapy! She and my Dad have just returned from a trip to see my youngest sister who has just given birth to their 15th grandchild, so we have a lot to celebrate this Sunday!!

Mom...Thanks for all you have done and continue to do for me...and thanks for being such a wonderful example of how to live life! I love you very much!

Happy Mother's Day!!

XOXO
Natalie

Brett Fuller's Note to Mom

Ma, thanks for all you've done and continue to do. I can always count on you to be there for me, and I really appreciate all that you have done over the years to help me learn and grow. Sorry for not taking more (good) pictures!

David Mueller about his mom Teresa Mueller


My Mom has always been there for me. Growing up, she has been a teacher, disciplinary, guide, and most importantly friend. I owe so much to her and am thankful everyday for all the wisdom she has shared and all the time we have spent together. Love you Mom!

Jim Paglia About His Mother, Veronica

When I was seven, my mom gave me a small wall plaque that she picked up on a trip. Printed on the plaque was a saying: "My interest is in the future, because that is where I will spend the rest of my life." 50 years later, and I still have the plaque, the outlook, and most importantly, my mom, Veronica, who I celebrate this Mother's Day and every day.

Monica Decker on her mom Donna Flanagin

Happy Mother's Day to my mom Donna Flanagin.  She is an amazing mother AND BOSS.  Having my mom as my boss is an experience I charish every day.  I get to work with her, learn from her, be inspired by her DAILY.  She treats me with respect and values my opinion and lets me grow and learn in the company.  She is my role model.  She built our company from the ground up in hopes that her daughters would have a career they could love as well...and we do.  We get to be good mothers because she built a business where we could bring our own children to work, take time off in needed for our children and just BE with them.  If you think I see enough of her Monday through Friday you are wrong...Saturday's and Sundays we shop together, eat dinners together, talk about our dreams together.  I cannot express how beautiful of a person she is inside and out! Happy Mothers day! ( I love this picture - her smile is heartbreaking)