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.
‘Miss Make It Happen’
By Laila Duncan, 17
This week my mom, Tawyana Duncan, came to my school during her workday to blow up balloons to decorate for my decision day, as well as my prom. For prom day she curled my hair, took my brother to and from his appointment, took my other brother to practice, took my twin and I to our checkup, our photo shoot, set up the balloons at our prom, and made sure we were able to enjoy our day worry free.
I don’t know how she was able to be in all those places at once, but she made it happen! My mom is “Miss Make It Happen.” No matter what she may have going on, she puts it aside to be there for us and I am beyond grateful to have a mother like her.
My mom is also a mother to all. She remembers the names of all of my friends and always says hi to them when she sees them. She’s not only the president of Beckum Stapleton Little League, but she goes to the games and interacts with the kids. So to her, everyone in the program is her child in the way that she looks out for them.
My mom wears many hats. Wearing so many hats it can be hard to balance everything, but she does it so well. She puts the same amount of effort into everything that she does, which is what makes her such a great person!
My mother is my past, present and future
By Yvette Patrick, 54
My mother is Brenda Patrick and she was born on April 15, 1954. My mother passed away on Feb. 3, 2008.
To know her was to love her. I wasn’t the best daughter in my adolescent years. However, she was the best mother because she didn’t give up on me when I was giving her nothing but problems.
As I matured, our relationship changed for the better and communication between us was developed. We both had an opportunity to apologize for our parts, and what I was wrong for and I am thankful.
Past
In 2004, when I started my journey with my relationship with the lord, my relationship with my mother was getting even stronger. I am honored to say that my relationship with the lord allowed my mother to develop her relationship with him too. Loving the lord allowed us to gain a new found relationship and love that allowed us to fellowship together at church.
In 2006, I became a first-time mother and I am thankful that she was able to have a grandson from her baby girl. Before she passed, I was at peace with our mother/ daughter relationship.
Present
So many things my mother showed us, taught us and said to us have helped me as a woman and mother that I have become. It’s unfortunate that she is no longer here to see the many things that I wish I could have done while she was here.
Future
Just because my Brenda isn’t here in the flesh, I am thankful that she lives in my heart and mind forever.
Brenda Patrick was the BEST mother for me.
I thank God for my past with my mother, my present with my mother and I am praying that we both ascend on That Great Day for both of our futures.
My mother taught me resilience
Tonya Washington (left) with her daughter Malayia Roper. (Photo provided by Malayia Roper)
By Malayia Roper, 33
When I think about one of Milwaukee’s best mothers, I think about my mom, Tonya Washington. This year, watching her prepare to graduate college (Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications) has been one of the proudest moments of my life. It is a reminder that motherhood does not erase dreams, purpose or the ability to keep growing.
Even while spending years pouring into others, she never stopped believing there was still more ahead for herself too. My mother taught me resilience by the way she lived. She showed me what it looks like to keep going with grace, faith and determination through every season of life.
To me, the best mothers are the women who quietly hold families together while still finding the courage to keep becoming who they were meant to be. That is who my mother is, and I am grateful every day that she is mine.
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