A Soapbox in honor of Mom

A new reminder

One of my daughters gave birth to our second grandson two weeks ago. Seeing the effort and stress of bringing a new life into the world and the work of reorienting the family structure to make room for that life is to be reminded of the heroism of moms. - James Kane, Deputy City Editor

13 was lucky for us

She has been gone since 2009, but I like to think my mom is still watching over her 13 children. We're all doing fine, Mom, but we still can't explain how you and Dad kept your sanity with eight girls and five boys. It was crazy. All of us, though, treasure every memory, and the family bond we share. - Tom Quinlan, Assistant Managing Editor/Sports

Mother's Day treat

I miss my mom on Mother's Day probably more than any other day of the year. It was our day. We always celebrated together, because I was born on Mother's Day in 1962. I always told her it was a cruel joke that her first Mother's Day gift was nine hours of labor, and I don't remember her ever correcting me. I loved that about her. - Jim Baumann, Managing Editor

Making childhood memories

The cheeriest thoughts of a wonderful childhood: Mom playing "Hide the Thimble" with us, but never hiding it too tough. Mom chasing me with a garden hose through the yard, water spraying everywhere. Mom stopping me on the way to bed each night to get her goodnight kiss. Miss you, Mom. - John Lampinen, Editor

Gone too soon

My mom passed away from breast cancer in 1965, when I was a mere 7 years old. But I remember the good things about her. She was a loving God-fearing woman, a beautiful woman who made every day special, even during her illness. I still miss her every day and cherish those memories from 50-plus years ago. - John Radtke, Fox Valley Sports Editor

Continuing a family tradition

Our favorite family tradition is homemade ravioli on holidays, any holiday really, but especially at Christmas. It likely began in earlier generations, but I recall it passing from my great-grandmother, to my grandmother and then my mom. It's a skill she has lovingly passed to my wife so that holiday tradition and through it, a family bond, live on. - Pete Nenni, Deputy Managing Editor

Started me on this path?

There's a picture of me at 2 years old seated at a small table, and my mom is behind and bent over me showing me how to write with a pencil. Did she know, or is that how writing would become my medium of choice? It turns out her artistic passion involves colored pencils and brushes. And she's always been wise. - Neil Holdway, Assistant Managing Editor/Copy Desk

A lifetime of reading

Round steak. Chicken scrabblin's. Snickerdoodles. Ponies. Family. Spiritual commitment ... Mom, you've given and continue to give me too many important things to list them all. Here's one you might not have realized. Reading. I watched you getting all those books and saw how much it meant. All those trips to the library. Every time I open a book, you're with me. I read a lot of books, and always will. - Jim Slusher, Deputy Managing Editor/Opinion

Wonderful role models

Thank you to the three strong women who guided me in my life - my mother, my two grandmothers. I learned from them that being a mom means that you are part manager, part counselor, part enforcer, part scheduler, part mind­reader and, of course, part comforter. I am grateful for my mom, who will be 92, and who is one of the wisest people I know. I miss my grandmothers who truly moved out of their comfort zones when they came to America as young women. From them, I learned to follow my dreams, despite adversity. - Pam Baert, News Editor/Neighbor

A true gift

I think it took becoming a mom to truly appreciate the strong, wonderful woman who raised me. Whenever things got hairy with two small boys, she'd swoop in to give me some relief. Nana showered my kids - and me - with love and support. I consider myself incredibly lucky to celebrate Mother's Day with her this Sunday along with the "boys" - now men - who gave me the greatest title of my life: Mom. - Lisa Friedman Miner, Metro Editor

Onward and upward

This is going to be one of the best Mother's Day ever. My ma became a widow two years ago and it's been a struggle. Alas, her days are finally getting brighter. That's reason enough to celebrate … and visiting with all her grandchildren and her great-grandson in between her part-time job have all helped. Doing fine at 79. - Mike Smith, Fox Valley editor

Shoutout to the sisterhood

On Mother's Day, I think about all the moms in my life. The "sisters" I depend on for advice and laughs as we navigate motherhood together. My mother-in-law, who helped nurture my husband into the father he is. And of course, my own mom. She showed me every day what it feels like to be loved and cared for, and now that I'm a mom, she's my sounding board and my guide. - Christie Willhite, DuPage Assistant City Editor

Now I get it

As a parent of two, experiencing all the joys and challenges that goes with that, I've come to realize in a smacked-in-the-face kind of way how little I understood and appreciated the sacrifices and efforts my mother made on my behalf, and how much I owe her today. So, Mom, for all the cheering me on from the sidelines, time spent playing board games, favorite meals, family vacations, plum altar boy assignments, and, most of all, the love and support, thanks. - Charles Keeshan, Deputy City Editor

A love most special

The source is unknown, but the thought pretty much covers it all "Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother." I've witnessed this over a fourth generation now, and it continues to amaze. From start to finish, the caring never ends. Happy Mother's Day to all who provide that most special love. - Don Friske, Associate Sports Editor