Moms inspire us and enrich our lives in so many ways. Today, we celebrate moms everywhere. Beginning in 2015, we began asking our community to share their stories of how their mothers have touched their lives. This year's contest may be over, but we'd love to hear your story in the comments section. Here are some of our favorite entries:
"She was there through EVERY test ...every chemotherapy treatment and every radiation treatment."
My name is Stacey Rundio. I am writing about the best, most sacrificial woman in the world. I am talking about a woman that hangs her laundry outside (even in the snow!), makes all meals from scratch and takes care of everyone in her life. Her grandchildren would go hungry with our her ;).
When I was 22, I had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This was obviously very shocking and devastating to me and my family and friends. I made a vow that I would beat cancer - and I did! I could not have done it without my mother. She was there through EVERY test (including the beginning bone marrow biopsy, watching me cry on HER birthday), every chemotherapy treatment and every radiation treatment. I lived at home then, so she also took care of me through the constant throwing up, hair loss, and physical and mental exhaustion.
"We have to take time to love ourselves"
Hair loss isn't always about cancer. My mom has dealt with alopecia since she was a child when patches of hair would randomly fall out. Once she got into her 30's her hair loss was more aggressive and she now wears wigs and/or hats on a daily basis. She just turned 41 at the end of April and her, me, and my dad all went and ran our first 5K for alopecia. It was called the Bare Hare 5k held for a young girl who also is experiencing alopecia at a young age like my mom.
Here are a few of the inspiring stories from our 2015 Mother's Day Contest.
"My mother would never let me give up."
by Deanna King
"My mum has always been there for me"
by Pauline Stacey
"Her strength is shown in her selflessness"
A couple of months ago my mother was diagnosed with Stage 1 aggressive Breast Cancer. We are so fortunate that they caught it early on and that she was able to have an intensive surgery to prevent the cancer from spreading anymore. Today, she had her first out of four chemo sessions. So far, everything is going well and we all hope that she'll be in great spirits when Mother's Day comes around!
"She instilled that it is better to give than receive"
I consider my mother, Martha Moses, to be the embodiment of womanly strength. She has worked diligently all of her life to provide everything she could afford for my brother and me. Our family situation was an unusual one that forced my mother to raise us both as a single parent. She has always been there for us through the years and did without so she could give to us. She taught us to work hard and be patient and that we will be rewarded for our hard work. She also instilled in us that it is better to give than to receive. In January of this year I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Within a week of his birth, her regular physician noticed some abnormalities in her blood work and sent her for a bone scan. When the results came back, she was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer.
"She has never let down her 5 grandchildren"
"My mother continues to radiate and glow"
mom is in regards to when my siblings and I walked to the bus stop for elementary school. Some days, it would rain and there would be no umbrella in the house or at least we could never find one with a family of eight children. Instead of driving us to the bus stop, my mom would tell us, "Let your smile be your umbrella." Moaning, we would walk in the rain only to find ourselves joking and jumping in the puddles.
In retrospect, she taught my siblings and I the power of our own outlook. She gracefully embodies this now as she battles Stage 4 Breast Cancer, diagnosed this past January. As a large family, we have seen our worth of crucibles with my older brother having been diagnosed with brain cancer a year ago. We have ALWAYS been able to see through the rain and deep fog of life. Amazingly my mother continues to radiate and glow as she keeps our family together. My siblings have never been more courageous and faithful due to her internal wisdom and infinite beauty. We love you Mom!!!! Don't stop believing for a cure!
"She is so strong and beautiful"
"She never lets her diagnosis define her"
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2014, just six months ago. No one expected it; who would think a friendly, less-than-fifty-year-old woman would ever have cancer? In spite of that, my mom refused to give up. When she had a mastectomy and was forced to have over a dozen lymph nodes removed, she didn't ever sulk. Sometimes, when she picked me up from school, with her sunglasses over her eyes and a smile that could outshine the headlights of her car, I'd forget she wasn't completely healthy. Even when she started chemotherapy, which she is still going through now, she kept a positive outlook.
Her hair may have fallen out, and her blood count may drop below normal, but she never lets her diagnosis define her. She also never lets her motherly love fade. Every day, no matter how tired she is, she asks me how my day was. She may have to lie down to listen, but she never turns me away. I always knew she was strong, but now, I know just how brave she is. She's brave enough to continue chemotherapy, despite the pain it causes her. She's brave enough to pencil in her eyebrows and watch her eyelashes swirl down the shower drain. She's brave enough to tie her headscarf around her head and wear it proudly. Most importantly, she's brave enough to remain a good mother, maintain her friendships, and beat cancer, all at the same time.
"She is a constant source of love and support"
I'm 49 yrs old with stage IIC ovarian cancer. Over the past 3 years, I have undergone many different chemotherapy regimens including a trial drug. While the cancer is being “managed”, it had spread to my abdomen and lungs and I currently get weekly infusions. Through all of this, my 77 yr old mother has been selfless and steadfast in her efforts to take care of me. She “baby’s” me with her homemade soups and delicious meals. Knowing that I’m immune compromised and iron deficient, she buys all ingredients and makes everything from scratch to ensure that they’re the most nutritious and without preservatives.
I'm inspired by all the mothers out there who are so strong and caring. I consider myself the luckiest to have a mom who is the very definition of strength. She’s a petite woman with arthritis, poor eyesight, degraded hearing, and osteochondritis dissecans of the knee but she remains a powerhouse with incredible energy. Despite all the ailments she has, my mother is selfless and never misses any of my weekly infusions. Every now and then, I catch a glimpse of pain in her eyes and know that my cancer is killing her too but she never complains or gets sullen and is a constant source of love and support for me. There’s not enough words to express my gratitude and appreciation – she’s the mother of the century in my book!
Inspired? Share your story in the comments below. And don't forget to share it with mom too!