Mother's Day - Honoring Mothers Everywhere

Today on 'Coffee with Susan and Friends' in prep for Mother's Day we honored mothers everywhere. As guests on the show, I had my own mother, Isabel, and my sister, Katherine Gagne. We had calls from some amazing people including my older brother, Robert, who was, in fact, born on Mother's Day some 46 years ago. Robert said some beautiful things about the listening ear and insight of a mother. My younger brother, Peter, who has down syndrome, called in and in his own way said what he says to our mother almost daily, definitely a statement you will want to hear.

As I closed the show I said something to my mother about aging and what she's teaching us. Reann called in and thanked her mother and others in her world. The show was a tear jerker for sure and tugged at every heart string. I pulled out some of the conversation that was happening in the chat room, so friends ... have a listen and let your heart be warmed.

To mothers everywhere, we honor you, we pay tribute, we thank you and we LOVE YOU.

Now to the Emails and Tweets:

From Lisa:

Hey Susan! What a great idea!

Sorry I won't be able to be on the call, but I thought I would take a quick moment to send a message.

When I was younger, and especially in my teens, I wasn't that close with my mom. I didn't see all that she did for me each day to make my life easier. I took it all for granted, and until I was in my late 20s, didn't really see how much she did for me over the years.

In my mid 30s, I had some marital problems, and when I opened up to my mom about them, she was there for me 100%. She encouraged me to work at my marriage and to realize that I had a great man as a husband. When I was having a bad/blue day, she would offer to take my young children for me so I could have time to cry if I needed to or to just be alone.

I don't know that we can ever repay our mothers for all they do while we grow up. I try every day now to at least call her, and I make a point of seeing her every week, a few times a week where possible. She is getting to an age now where she needs me to help her and to take care of her and I know that I'll be here for her, just as she was there for me when I needed her love and attention.

Thanks Mom!

From Barry:

My mother means everything to me. She always believes the best & loves selflessly. She's my hero. I love & miss her so much.

From Lori:

Hi Susan

Wish I was going to be home tomorrow to catch your show. I am sure it will be great. As Mother Day approaches I think of my Mom more frequently. It has been a year and a bit since she passed away and I still miss her every day. So many times I have caught myself thinking that I will have to phone her to ask about a recipe or about how to fix something or just to say hello...only to realize that I can't ever do that again.

I am very grateful for the time that her and I had together near the end. I value the lessons learned from her and hope that I have passed them on to my children.

She raised eight children on her own after my father died. My oldest brother was 19 years old and the youngest was three. I still marvel at how she was able to take care of all of us on her own. I would ask her about it sometimes and she would just smile and say that she just did what she had to do........a lot of hard work and sometimes a big stick! HA HA HA I don't ever recall hearing Mom complain about the cards life dealt her. She is one of the strongest women that I knew.

When Mom came to live at the Nursing Home in my town I was able to go and visit her everyday after work. I always tried to be cheerful when I went to see her even if some days I was not necessarily feeling that way. I figured that she did not need to hear about my tough days at work. She had always been such an independant woman all her life and now she was totally dependant on others to help her with everything from her personal care to feeding her. It was very difficult for her to deal with. But no matter how hard I tried to hide my feelings from her she always knew when I had had a bad day. Mom could not speak very well due to the stroke but she spoke volumns with her beautiful blue eyes. On my bad days she would reach out and pull my head down onto her lap and stroke my hair so gently. Of course I always felt better after....what child wouldn't after feeling their mothers loving touch. I learned that you are never to old to need your mother.

Anyway Susan I could go on for pages talking about what a great woman my Mom was. She was loving, kind, considerate, funny...the list goes on and on. Feel free to edit out what ever you want. I know I can get carried away when I start writing.

Have a great show and I look forward to listening to it tomorrow night.

From Jane:

My mum (Betty) is unbelievably strong despite a significant physical disability and being restricted by pain all the time, never complains. She has always had such a heart for the underdog and the downtrodden and is an activist at 75!! I like to think that I am a little like her in this way....there is a pretty constant undercurrent of tension between us as there can be between mothers and daughters, but when I choose not to irritated by the petty stupid things and be the bigger person, she is an inspiration!

From Sam:

One thing I have always loved about my mum (Pam) is the wonderful feeling that when my kids are with her, I know they are safe. There is no baby sitter like your Mum. Also, I am forever grateful for her prayers and her commitment to her children.

We would love to hear about your mum. Send us a comment and share her with us and join us as we celebrate Mother's everywhere.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Susan J Sohn