A Tribute To Our Wise And Patient Moms

by Cory Unrein

The author and her ever patient mother. Photo credit: Unknown TG&Y photographer circa 1977.

​     There’s something about becoming a parent that gives you an even greater appreciation for your own parents. As a mom of two teenage daughters, there is rarely a day that goes by that I don’t marvel at my mother’s patience. Some days my only solace between the eye rolling and door slamming is knowing that my girls will also one day come to the realization that their mom is not quite as dumb as they thought she was when they were know-it-all teens.
     This weekend, mothers across the country will be celebrated and retailers have ensured that there will be plenty of flowers, perfume, and Roombas to go around. My favorite Mother’s Day memory is my youngest asking me what I was making for breakfast so she could bring it to me in bed. Her heart was in the right place.
     Valley News recently asked residents to share some stories about their moms. We received a number of great submissions and wanted to share just a few.
     Sheila Arnold recalled that even though her mother was a small woman, at just five feet tall, she could command attention.
     “My Mom raised 5 girls, 2 dogs and 1 husband. She only stood 5 foot, but when she stomped her foot we all lined up,” Arnold said. “She was a ‘meter maid’ (parking officer) in Carrollton, MO. When my husband (Dale) and I were getting our marriage license, Mom was writing him a parking ticket.”
     Kelly Leach recalled a time when she was just certain her mom had caught her skipping school.
     “One time I was skipping school and my mom called the house. I thought, ‘Oh, no! Busted!’ Well, she called to leave a happy birthday message on the answering machine for the dog,” Leach said.
     Mother’s Day is a day of celebration, but it can also be difficult for those who have lost their mom. Dustin Osborn of Grain Valley lost his mother, Sheila Osborn, in January 2018. She was just 53 years old.
     “For those 53 years, she was an amazing mother and a father. She was Superman and Superwoman to me. She was a single parent and she taught me how to play sports and taught me how to be a man. She taught me how I should treat my wife and my child, how I should respect my elders, and to remember that I'm always someone to be looked up to. She taught me to always be kind to others no matter what, no matter when, and no matter where. You never know the struggle someone else is going through, and how much just your little touch of generosity could change their life,” Osborn recalled.
     Whether you are celebrating your mom with a brunch and gifts, fondly remembering a mom who has passed, or you are a mom making your own breakfast to be served by your loving children in bed, we wish all moms and those who love them a very happy Mother’s Day.
 

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Dustin Osborn, Grain Valley, remembers his mom, Sheila Osborn (pictured at left), this Mother’s Day. “She taught me to always be kind to others no matter what, no matter when, and no matter where. You never know the struggle someone else is going through, and how much just your little touch of generosity could change their life.” Photo courtesy of Dustin Osborn. Valley News wishes all moms a very happy Mother’s Day!