In honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10, we asked NNS readers to tell us about their mom or a mother-figure that we should all celebrate.
Our community came through, sharing stories with us about mothers they cherish. This weekend, NNS is sharing their stories.
Happy Mother’s Day!
My mother figure
By Deon Stewart
My mother figure is often the quiet strength behind our communities, offering guidance, care and support in ways that shape lives every day. I’d like to honor someone who has made a meaningful difference in my life through her kindness, patience and unwavering encouragement. She’s the kind of person who shows up when it matters most, listens without judgment, and always finds a way to lift others up.
Whether it’s through small everyday actions or big moments of support, she creates a sense of comfort and belonging for everyone around her.
What makes her truly special is how she extends that love beyond just family. She impacts friends, neighbors and the wider community with the same compassion and generosity. She reminds me that being a mother figure isn’t just about biology, but about the love, guidance and positivity you give to others. Because of her, I’ve learned the importance of caring for people and making a difference, no matter how small it may seem.
A Mother’s Day tribute to me
By Rosemary Turner
Happy Mother’s Day to ME … because if anybody deserves to be celebrated today, it is this woman right here.
A woman who has loved beyond limits.
Sacrificed beyond measure.
And carried motherhood on her back even on the days she felt like she had nothing left.
People see the smile.
People see the pictures.
People see the children loved and cared for.
But what they don’t see is the strength it took to keep being Mommy on the days I was mentally tired.
Emotionally drained.
Financially stressed.
Physically exhausted.
And spiritually fighting battles I never spoke about.
Yet I still got up.
I still made things happen.
I still made sure my children had what they needed.
I still became the hug when they needed comfort, the protector when they needed safety, the provider when they needed support, and the prayer warrior when life got heavy.
That is what a real mother does.
A real mother doesn’t stop because she’s hurting.
A real mother keeps going because those babies are depending on her.
And that has been me.
Time and time again.
I have put myself on the back burner more times than I can count just to make sure my children smiled.
I have gone without.
I have cried in silence.
I have stayed strong when I felt weak.
I have prayed prayers with tears falling from my face asking God to give me just enough strength to make it through another day for them.
And he did.
That’s why when I look at my children, I do not just see my babies.
I see proof that I never gave up.
Every sacrifice.
Every long night.
Every hard moment.
Every setback.
Every disappointment.
I survived it because I had little eyes watching me and little hearts depending on me.
Motherhood did not make me weak — Motherhood revealed the warrior in me.
It taught me how to survive pain and still pour love.
It taught me how to be broken and still be gentle.
It taught me how to carry pressure and still show up beautiful.
Yes beautiful. Because there is nothing more beautiful than a woman who keeps nurturing life while carrying her own storms.
So today I’m not waiting on anybody to tell me I’m a good mom.
I know I am.
My children know I am.
God knows I am.
And that is enough for me.
I am the mother who never stops loving.
The mother who never stops trying.
The mother who never stops praying.
The mother who never stops fighting.
I am the backbone.
I am the heartbeat.
I am the safe place.
I am the home my children run to.
I am not just blessed to be a mother — my children are blessed to have a mother like me.
So Happy Mother’s Day to the woman who made struggle look graceful, pain look silent and unconditional love look easy.
Happy Mother’s Day to a phenomenal, irreplaceable, strong, beautiful queen.
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