We asked our friends to take a moment to share what they love and appreciate most about their moms. Their responses will inspire you—and make you say aww!
“I appreciate my mom’s artistic, whimsical nature. She’s always upbeat and ready to adventure, or ready to try something new. ‘Want to have a paint night? I’ll host!’ Or, ‘Let’s go zip-lining… the whole family!’ My mom is always up for a good time, and when I’m down, she’s the first to pick me up and make me feel better. I turn to her for the good, bad, happy and sad. She’s my first call.”
—Meredith, daughter of Rachel
“My mom’s wisdom and influence is the basis for who I am today. She created a loving and positive home environment that formed one of my strongest values: home should be where you feel the safest.”
—Jeff, son of Pam
“I blame my mom for a lot of things, but most of all, I blame her for letting me believe that being a feminist was inherent in everyone. My mom is the most impressive and accomplished person I know, and while she is a proud woman, she has never let gender confine or define her. She consistently demonstrates what it means to be an active, strong and compassionate leader of our family and beyond. She breaks boundaries every day for the greater good of her community and her values. At 16, she was told that she couldn’t be a rabbi as there were no other female rabbis; 10 years later, she was ordained as one of the first 100 female rabbis in the United States. Whether she is standing up for her beliefs or physically on the bima, she humbly perseveres to do what is right and gives it her whole being. She is feisty, witty, intellectual, creative and brave. She is everything I want to be when I ‘grow up.’”
—Daniella, daughter of Andrea
“I love how my mom always shows up for me. Whether it’s simply answering the phone when I call (a lot) or driving six hours to hug me after a difficult week, she is a constant source of unconditional love and an incredible role model!”
—Shanna, daughter of Vicki
“My mom is the greatest friend, biggest life of the party and most understanding person I have ever met. She taught me what it means to go above and beyond for someone else, be thoughtful and how to take the higher road and be the bigger person. She reminds me to be less serious and appreciate the good times in life. What I love the most about her is that even on my worst days, and I don’t deserve it, she loves me unconditionally. I’m very grateful for that!”
—Amanda, daughter of Robin
“The thing I most appreciate about my mother is her survival skills. She’s a strong lady who never quit. She came to the United States in her 20s and realized her goal of getting a college/post-graduate education with three small kids underfoot.”
—Judy, daughter of Matilde
“I love her sense of humor and being able to just look at each other and burst into laughter over nothing. Wine is usually involved in that scenario.”
—Chrissy, daughter of Kathy
“My mother has been a great example of dealing with adversity. Not that she talks about it, but I know this of her past: As a young child, she experienced great loss—one of her twin brothers died at birth. Her father died suddenly when she was only 7. She grew up very poor, moving to a part of central Pennsylvania that was so deeply anti-Semitic that my grandmother wasn’t able to live in the town where she taught elementary school. She lost her mother when she was in her early 40s; her brother, the last surviving member of her birth family, had a massive stroke a decade ago. Yet she endures and overcomes challenges as they arise; she earned a free ride to college, cared for two young children in her 20s while my father traveled frequently for business and, eventually, in her 30s and 40s studied nonstop for what seemed like a year to pass the CPA and find a new career path (thankfully, as she does my taxes for me every year!). She’ll rarely mention the difficulties she’s faced in life, yet I know how much they’ve shaped her. And I think twice about making excuses for not doing my best, or complaining about the little things, when I contemplate the enormity of what she went through.”
—D, son of Amy
“I appreciate my mom’s vast Jewish knowledge (primarily self-taught!), and her beautiful, extensive collection of Jewish books. I learned more about Judaism from her and her library than I did from going to yeshiva and my degree in Judaic studies.”
—Miriam, daughter of Janet
“Jean, our mom and ‘Nana Mommy’ to her granddaughters, made the most delicious whole wheat pita bread. As fast as it came out of the oven, we would butter it and eat it. It was really all we needed sometimes to nourish and sustain us.”
—Marie, daughter of Jean
“My mom has dealt with many health problems but continues to live as normal a life as possible. She never let her disabilities or illnesses hold her back from waking up each morning and putting one foot in front of the other, even if some activities, like driving or cooking, are now limited. At 70, she babysits for my kids and last weekend went to dinner and a show in the South End. I value and have learned from her persistence and lack of self-pity.”
—Kara, daughter of Connie
“I love how strong and smart my mother is. She had a crazy start to her life, and, with my father, worked really hard to make a good life for me and my brother. It makes me very proud of her!”
—Carissa, daughter of Maria
“There are so many things. Even though I’m in my late-20s and supposedly self-sufficient, I always ask my mom to fold my laundry whenever I go visit. And she does! She also makes sure to send me back with a big bag full of my favorite homemade foods and treats.”
—Ashley, daughter of Claudette