To Elkie:

Elkie was a complex, sensual, earthy, attractive, dynamic woman. She taught me to be at home with my sexuality, to laugh fully and to value honesty and intimacy above all else. She taught me to dance, to write succinctly, and to stay organized.

My Mom was one of the transitional women during "women's lib" who not only kept the house running, the lunches packed, the 6P dinners on the table EVERY night, but also managed my father's dental practice full time. In addition, she found time to volunteer with the Red Cross and to raise money for Israel.

Although I designed my life very differently from her own, Mom never wavered in her unconditional love and support.

Elkie passed on to the other dimension at age 79 in July of 1999.

On my Vision Quest, I felt her distinct presence watching over me still.

I miss you, Mom.

Happy Mother's Day.

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As a teenager, I remember being so proud of the way my friends would flock around you and then tell me what a cool mom I have. From you I learned to be social.

Then there where the hard times when you would go to battle for me to ensure that I got the classes I need to graduate, or when you sat with me when I was afraid to call about a job. Through this, you taught me courage and to fight for what I want in life.

I love you mother, you are the most beautiful woman to me.

Your daughter,

Kristi Lee Langerak
daughter of Karen,
granddaughter of Wilma and Bertha

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I am so grateful that I have reached a point in my life where I adore and love you deeply. My adolescence was rough for both of us. I rebelled and acted out and you loved me and opened the door for me to choose being a good person. Our relationship has started to open more than ever the last couple years and what I am seeing unfold is a sturdy, fragrant flower that has germinated for many years--ready to spring forth in potent, spectacular ways.

I am so proud of who you are: strong, dedicated, purposeful, wise, generous, intuitive, grounded. Even though I'm bad about calling you as often as I should, and worse about coming to visit you, please, please know that love flows through my heart every single day for you, and that all the beauty I am surrounded by was inspired by your greatness and in your honor.

I love you with all my heart and being,

Anitra

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There are days when I find myself saying, "I'm DONE! I want to quit!" and then I think of you. You, with four children who wanted your attention, wanted to be fed and hugged, bathed and read to. Four of us pulling at each of your strings, possibly the last you had that day, and you just let us pull, patient and loving. That is truly YOU mom! When someone asks me, "What are two qualities that describe your mother, it is PATIENCE and LOVING!

Thank you mom. Thank you for all that it took, and takes, to have children and grandchildren and to give of yourself unconditionally. Thank you for teaching me about nature and animals, song and dance, and for your intuition and wisdom. Thank you for all the times you thought, "I can't take it" and never said it out loud. Thank you, mom, for being the beautiful woman you are, for nurturing and holding us continually to this day.

I love you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Love,
Deirdre Sandra
daughter of Deirdre Ann,
Granddaughter of Joyce and Phyllis

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Dear mom,

thanks for:

-a lifetime of tasty dinners;

-a warm home to return to;

-knowing I can do no wrong in your eyes;

-putting up with the grandkids even when you're tired;

-taking in lots of cats and people that needed some help;

-getting your point across with a look instead of a yell;

-transitioning from consummate mom to consummate grandmother;

-enjoying nothing more than being with family;

-listening to Claire's tears when her guinea pig died (I knew you would know what to say);

-planning the search for Claire's cat (she knew you would know how to help);

-being around for the inevitable hamster crisis (we're crossing our fingers);

Mom, no matter what the chaos or even the "good stuff" that's going on in my life, I love knowing that complete acceptance and understanding is just a phone call away.

Love,

Bruce

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How can I ever thank you for everything you've given me?

...life energy unconditional love time attention 3 siblings soup in bed when I was sick...

I love you with all my HEART and soul

Happy Mother's Day!

xoxoxoxo,

your Bear

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Dear Mom, I love you soooo much!!! Happy Mother's Day - you are a wonderful Mom & I love our relationship. Things have been so wonderful & happy - I love spending time with you at the house just hanging out, or going shopping, or out to eat. I am so proud of what you have created - such an amazing home & a great life! I love that you are active in the community, I love seeing you so happy in Pt. Richmond & I love seeing how great you & Blyth are together (you are always laughing)! You are such an awesome person - so loving & generous! I am really grateful for everything - all you have done for me; you are always there for me! I want you to know how much you mean to me - you have been the biggest supporter in my life & I am so glad you are a part of it!!!! Thank you for giving me life - where would I be without you?

I Love You!

Adrienne

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I love you all the money in the world and 2 bob!

Pen

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To my dear Mother-In-Loves, I am blessed to have you both in my life. I love you both very much.

With love,

Pen

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Dear Mom, I'm writing this in praise of you. The great thing about using the world wide web as an expressive medium is that I get to tell the whole world what an amazing woman you are!!! My mom is a creative wonder, a thoughtful rememberer, a social worker, a miracle bringer, the voice of my past, the orator of our family history, the ultimate diplomat between sibling countries, the bridge to the secret chocolate land of doo-doo drops and wacky cake, the patient guide through homework hell, fierce advocate at parent-teacher conferences, Father translator, master of money in many different markets, (college, debt, refinancing, etc.)

GARDEN GODDESS SEWING SORCERESS MISTRESS OF PUZZLES (I could never understand how puzzles- be they in a box or in our lives- seemed to magically come together at your touch.)

OOOOH, and the rocking chair. The one I spent so much time in your lap, on your shoulder, rocking gently back and forth, back and forth...

OH! AND THE PEZ!!!! Mom, you are a great (and sneaky) crazy canasta card player! You are fun and silly, and you always seem to have a feather hidden in your pocket, and a plant that you've "liberated" from someone else's garden in your purse. Mom, I'll never forget the way you drove around town in Lucy in the middle of winter with the top down and the heater on. Or the GIRL-GETTERS!!!! (Where are those wretched things? I know you're hiding them somewhere..!) And the wonderful family fable of "The Little Green Man" who went around doing nice things for others.

My mom let me be who I was, and never stopped demanding that the world do the same.

Mom, I think I have cried through the writing of this whole letter. So many wonderful memories! How could I ever deserve such a wonderful person as you for my mother. (?!) All my eloquence with words just falls away and all I feel is love, love, love..

I love you Mom, Kristy

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You gave me the gift of being a person who can speak semi-intelligently on a variety of topics just because you "dragged" me to all those museums, cultural events, concerts, and gallery openings..not to mention the book clubs, sisterhood groups, and family therapy (weee!)..

Mom, you've taught me to talk back to the TV and the radio. You've shown me the joy of protesting Washington, traveling, sun-worshipping, cosmetics, and high-heeled shoes. I learned how to sew and cook with you as my teacher.but at the age of 4 you told me it's better to be a mechanic than a fairy princess. I hope it's ok that I chose another profession entirely.

You've shown me how to deal with conflict maturely and with consideration for the other points of view. And not in that tone of voice!! You told me to FOCUS, gave me a home and MANY opportunities to explore the world of extracurricular activities. Without you, would I have learned to dance, sing, play soccer, act, break-dance, run, swim like a fish, or be a Jew?! Thanks for giving me all those things, even if I didn't value them at the time; you really decreased the list of things for me to do before I die.now I have all the time in the world to finish it up!

I've loved watching you develop into a lovely older (not old) woman who carries herself with elegance and grace but doesn't take herself too seriously. I love your British accent, your wicked sense of humor, your snappy outfits, your patience and your honesty. I adore your terrible singing voice, which really isn't all that bad.

I love you, Mum.and thanks.

Happy Mom's Day, Shira

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What an incredible Mother you are. You have always lived life seeing so many possibilities for me, while always asking me to be responsible for my choices.

I just shared a story of how you sat me down, age 7 or 8, at a major turning point in my life and asked me: "Based on the reality of this opportunity, are you willing to commit and dedicate your life to this kind of a daily practice? We are willing to support you (financial and otherwise), as long as deep in your heart, you know that you want this for yourself."

My life has forever been changed by that moment. Not just because your way of mothering opened me to seeing and understanding commitment, but, because you brought me into a deep place in my soul which honored listening to my heart and passions.

Forever in love with you,

Moose

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MeeMa (Dorthea) Grandmother Eversole

The moment in time that stands out to me is you, being playful in the kitchen while having a table covered in flour while you make potisa (Polish sweet bread), dancing around with a hotdog on your head! Now, I know where my gets that outrageous playfullness that never lets me down at a party or gathering.

Grandma, I love your silliness.

Love,

Moose-ella

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Love,

Marcie

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Happy Mother's Day!

Love,

Marcella