Happy Mother’s Day! We’re putting our moms on a pedestal today at 365Barrington.com to honor the ladies who gave us life and taught us how to live it. We received many entries in our 2013 “Just Like Mom” Mother’s Day contest and have three winners to announce today plus many more reflections on some great moms in our midst!
Everyone who entered our contest shared their answer to this one question:
What’s one personality trait or quality you hope to inherit from your mom and why?
My answer to that question sounds something like this:
Through her actions, my mom teaches me how to be quick to forgive, forget and not hold grudges. Every time I get mad at her for something and say mean things that I regret, she forgives me right away. And, the funny thing is that, most often, it doesn’t take a single word. She just lets life go on, with all that’s negative flowing right on down the river.
For her, it’s often as simple as adding asterisks to her email signature, M * O * M. She’s not really into LOL, BRB, ROTFL and other cyber slang. But, somewhere along the line, she decided that, when typed in an email, asterisks mean kisses.
I hope my mom’s quiet example of letting go and moving on influences my behavior and the way I teach my own children to react in life. Thanks, mom, for leading by example and happy mother’s day.
Now, to the winners of this contest! Heinen’s Fine Foods in Barrington offered the first place prize, a $75 gift card to spend in their store. Now that’s a gift any mom would love! We drew her name and contacted her yesterday and it is…
Kaitlin Koenig
From: Barrington Hills
Mom’s Name: Barb Koenig
“One personality trait I would like to inherit from my mom is her kindness.
My mother is a Social Worker at Good Shepherd Hospital, a deacon at my church, volunteers for things with Barrington Youth Football and Barrington Giving day in December, is involved in CUSD 220 matters and still holds the fort down at my house.
She will think of others miles before she thinks about herself and do anything for anyone whether its her kids, sisters, cousins, or even strangers.
She helps my brothers with their homework whenever they need it, delivers meals on wheels to people in need, and will stop at nothing to make sure everyone is happy. She has the patience of a saint when dealing with my two brothers (16 and 13), keeps things civil between my brothers and I and will always make us laugh.
My mom goes above and beyond the call of duty to help in any situation. I know this sounds cliche, but my mom is my hero and I aspire to be like her.
I truly have never met anyone sweeter than my mother and I know I will be just like her when I get older.”
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Our second place winner, receiving a $50 gift card to spend at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center in South Barrington is…
Kim Hanson
From: I live in Oregon but my mom lives in Barrington
Mom’s Name: Ruth Hanson
“My mom is a peacemaker; she can tame a dragon without even trying.”
One time when my mom came to visit me, she went into a flower shop to place an order from a woman who never gives any customers even the time of day.
My mom came out of the store and sat down with my friend and I.
In a few minutes, the flower shop woman came out, bringing the flower arrangement to my mom and making small talk with her.
I was shocked but started laughing.
My mom can get to almost anyone’s good side.
That is a trait I keep trying to cultivate; Her ability to be peaceful.”
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Our third place prize is $30 to spend at Ambrosia Euro American Patisserie and the winner is…
Margaret Lynn
From: South Barrington
Mom’s Name: Mary LouVerkoulen
“I hope to continue her legacy of ‘caring most about the important things’ — the environment, those in need, her children, and good health.
My earliest memories of my mom were of her organizing recycling programs in my home town of Evanston.
She has always been a fierce advocate of the environment. She was a social worker and cared more about the poor and the ill than anyone i have ever known.
She encouraged my brothers and me to play musical instruments and take art classes; believing that music and art bring joy and color to the world.
At the age of 92, she takes no medicines, because a healthy lifestyle has been her MO for as long as I can remember.
She is an ardent supporter of her three kids.
She taught us to love ourselves and others; to choose inquiry, kindness and accountability. For as long as I live I will hear her whisper over my shoulder: “What are you doing to help others?”
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And we are so fortunate that the following readers also shared heartwarming stories about their moms in our contest…
Stephanie Kneisler
From: Barrington
Mom’s Name: Eileen Peters
“My mom is an inspiring business owner and I hope to inherit her innate ability to be rational and level headed.
This woman knows how to troubleshoot any issue no matter how stressful and she’s my go-to person for any crisis.
I hope to someday be as composed as she is and be a source of reason and safety for my future children”
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Elizabeth Deuel
“My mom is truly amazing. She is my best friend, my biggest supporter, a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand, a listening ear, compassionate, my role model, selfless and an inspiration to name just a few things.
“Of all of her endearing qualities, I hope to most inherit my mom’s work ethic. My mom is the hardest working person I know.
She has worked at the same law firm for over twenty-five years and was the only female partner. A few years ago, my mom made the tough decision to join another law firm because of the economy and she wanted to ensure that she could afford to send my older brother and I to college.
Although the law firm was the only place she had ever worked and her co-workers were her family, she did what she had to for her family. Not only is my mom a full-time lawyer from 8 to 5 every single day, she is also a full-time mom. When she arrives home at 7 after two hours of traveling, she cooks dinner for my entire family. During my entire sports career which spanned over fourteen years, my mom never missed a single game. She is always available to me, even at 1 a.m. when I need her. She stayed up with me until 3 a.m. a couple of weekends ago to help me prepare a banquet for my sorority. This is all due to her strong work ethic.
She has worked and continues to work incredibly hard in order to grant my brother and I the things she was never lucky to have.
That’s why I hope to inherit my mom’s work ethic. She is truly an inspiration to me for when I enter the workforce.”
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Luke Peterson
From: Barrington IL (just mived to Englewood, CO)
Mom’s Name: Rebecca Peterson
“One trait I would like to inherit from my mom is her ability to have a good time. I would like to inherit this because when things would get boring, or heated, I would be able to make things un-boring or cool down. Also I would be able to orginize all of the fun stuff for people, and animals, to do.”
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Seija Tierney
From: Algonquin
Mom’s Name: Debra Nelson
“Selflessness. My mom is the most unselfish person I know.
“She raised 6 strong women while going back to school for her Masters in Social Work.
She has always been the biggest supporter, encourager, cheerleader and advice giver to my sisters and me.
She pushes us to each be the best woman, sister, mother that we can be.
Knowing that she could accomplish such a huge goal with all of us growing up inspired me to go back to school for my nursing degree and she has encouraged and supported me every step so far.
I honestly don’t know what I would do without her”
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Kelsey Kazmier
From: South Barrington
Mom’s Name: Penny Kazmier
“I hope to inherit my mom’s ability to be so thoughtful.
While raising four children and being involved in the community, she is always thinking of others.
She experienced the loss of her parents at age 16 and has come so far. I’m so proud of my mother and would want to be just like her when I grow up.”
The picture attached of my mother and I at the 2012 Daily Herald Cooking Competition… which she won!!!”
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Jennifer Vance Krepel
From: Algonquin
Mom’s Name: Theresa Vance
“Generosity.
My mom would give someone her last dime even when times were rough.
If my mom didn’t have a dime to give someone in need she would host a fundraiser and it would be the best damn party anyone has ever been to.”
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Madison Boyum
From: Barrington
Mom’s Name: Stacy Boyum
“Shoppin. I love going to Heinens, Heads Up Appareal and Target with my Mom and Brother.”
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Max Costello
From: Deer Park
Mom’s Name: Sharla Costello
“I want to inherit from my mom the personality trait of never giving up and applying myself no matter how hard things get! Always keep trying!”
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Thanks to all of you for participating in our 2013 Mother’s Day contest and reflection. We hope you enjoy the day with your mom, whether it’s at home, at brunch or in your heart’s most cherished memories. Happy Mother’s Day!
