Salutes to moms

Lasting memories
My parents had a small farm in rural Manitoba. One beautiful sunny winter day Mom and I decided to go snowshoeing on the property. As we were waddling along she sank butt first into a pocket under the snow. With arms and snowshoes flailing in the air I tried to pull her out but the more I tried the more she laughed, almost pulling me in on top of her. After a few minutes I finally took my snowshoes off and got a better stance and was able to pull her out, still giggling helplessly over what had happened. Good times!
-Gail Odber

A daughter's pride
My mom is the most amazing woman I know. She is incredibly selfless and is always finding ways to help out those around her. She is the first person to share a kind word with someone and show up on their doorstep with a flower or card when things aren't going their way. She constantly goes out of her way to help out anyone who needs it. She always has something nice to say to everyone she meets and always means it. Many people who know her fondly refer to her as "Mother Theresa." She is my angel on earth and I'm proud to be her daughter.
-Dr. Tracey Young

The strength of a mother
Growing up was easy until I was faced with peer pressure, boyfriends, finance, college, breakups, et cetera. It always seemed like whatever I was faced with, Mom could always help. She taught me to love myself for who I am, not to judge a book by its cover, to be true to myself and to reach for the top. Most of all she taught me to believe in myself. My mom will always be my shoulder of strength and my best friend.
-Lisa Vankoughnett

The support to start over
When my first marriage fell apart in 2001, I found myself moving home to my parents' house with three very young children. Knowing that I would have to get a job to support myself and my children, my mom stepped up and offered to provide child care for my three children for no charge. She took care of them day in and day out while I went to work to try and get myself and my children back on our feet. After a year of living at my parents' house, my children and I moved into our own apartment -- and she still babysat the children while I worked. She continued to do this, putting her life on hold to take care of them, until I married my new husband and now have the chance to be a stay-at-home mom. In my life, my mom has on more than one occasion sacrificed her time, money and dreams to help me. She truly is the best mom!
-Michelle Young