Mother’s Day tributes from readers who are ‘just like Mom’
When you were younger, did you swear up and down that you’d never become just like your mother? Do you now find yourself saying and doing things exactly like she does?
In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked our readers to share their funny and heartwarming stories about how they’ve become just like Mom. From a shared love of fried chicken to an inherited habit of sending snail mail, here are a few of the sweet stories that caught our eye.
Judy Lynch, 69, North Richland Hills
Mother: Delia Maurene Webb
Her story: “Mom was a wonderful, loving mother who had her quirks. For example, she loved to go any place at any time. One day at the dinner table in Abilene, Daddy said he’d like to go to a baseball game in Dallas. Mom got up from a table full of dirty dishes and returned with her purse under her arm, ready to go! I’ve inherited this quirk. If my husband mentions a trip to one of our museums or parks, or just a trip to Walmart, I get my purse and head for the door.”
Nancy Ewing, 62, Fort Worth
Mother: Cleo Robinson
Her story: “My mother cooked fried chicken every day and I promised when I grew up I would never eat chicken. Well I have to confess, I eat chicken almost every day and every day I say I’m tired of chicken. I walk exactly like her, swinging my right arm just as fast as I walk. She would always tell me, ‘Don’t live above your means,’ and, ‘Save. Don’t spend all your money.’ I find myself telling my son the same thing. Oh, how I miss my mama so much. Writing this story makes me teary.”
Beverly Tye, 68, Arlington
Mother: Earlene McElroy Rhodes
Her story: “To her two daughters, she was ‘Flash and Dash.’ Always dressed in brightly colored clothing and funky jewelry. Nothing shy about her. She lit up a room. To her five grandchildren, she was Auntie Mame. Eccentric and deliciously wonderful who loved everyone and was loved by all. In contrast, for years I dressed very conservatively. Quite boring in fact. Recently, I purchased a wildly printed outfit and huge, clunky jewelry and, looking at myself in the mirror, I laughed and said, ‘Hello, Flash and Dash!’ I could not have been more thrilled.”
Dianne Robinson, 66, Bedford
Mother: Frances Blanton
Her story: “Pens, paper, cards, address book, stamps. Yes, these are things that are always at my fingertips, just like my mom. Growing up, there wasn’t a week that went by that my mom wasn’t sending someone a letter or card. Now on my calendar, I have birthdays, anniversaries and other special days listed. In this day of electronic mail, I am very thankful I have turned into my mom by sending out snail mail to people in need. Even at 89 years young, my mom still says ‘I need to send a card.’ ”
Jeannie Preisser, 53, Keller
Mother: Erma Schuster
Her story: “I grew up in a family of nine children. When I was little, most of my five brothers would pick on me endlessly. My mom always stood up for me (I thanked her for this in her final moments and apologized for being such a bratty teenager). As I grew into the teen years, she and I would fight about my curfew time. Of course I didn’t keep it, so when I did arrive home late, we would fight and she would yell at me (well-deserved, I might add). I swore that I would never be like her when I grew up.
“Of course, I became just like her when my children grew into teenagers. I would eventually end up yelling at them and repeating the same words that she said to me. One phrase that I have repeated often is, ‘Patience is a virtue and virtues get you to heaven.’ My mannerisms are just like hers and the older I have become, the more I resembled her than my dad. My mom just passed away March 31, 2016...This Mother’s Day will be a difficult one.”
Phyllis Stouffer, 60, Fort Worth
Mother: Rachel Jackson
Her story: “‘Heartwarming’ best describes the relationship I have with my mom. When I think about the many things I learned from her, I realize I have turned into my mother. We are known by our family and friends as the Energizer bunnies. We both love baking, gardening, sewing and keeping an organized home. In the fall and spring, my mom teaches crocheting in the senior education department at TCC South Campus and we both take senior computer classes at TCC. It’s hard to keep up with her on campus with her walker.
“What I cherish most about turning into my mother are her Christian values, hard work ethics, love of family and learning. I can only hope that I have passed these traits on to my children as well.”
Margaret Marchant, 30, Austin
Mother: Nancy Marchant
Her story: “I often find myself turning into my mom, but I also make choices intentionally to be more like her. I grew up in Fort Worth, in Arlington Heights. Since I was little, my mother has loved to bake bread. After the loaves came out of the oven, my sister and I went with her to take warm bread to our neighbors. I live in Austin now and when we bake cookies or other treats, the kiddos go with me to deliver some to our neighbors. The kids love it, the neighbors do too, and I’m so happy the tradition continues!”
Ulana Ratley, 67, Bedford
Mother: Joreen Kocurek Ludeke
Her story: “I am surprised to be admitting that I am turning into my mother. I don't look like my mother and I don't have a similar personality. I do, however, have the same interests. I was both a mother and an elementary school teacher like mother. We are both historians and enjoy working in our gardens. Mother has been a club president and so am I. One of mother's favorite expressions is ‘A fool and his money are soon parted.’ Mother has always been careful with her money and so am I. We really are similar in many ways.”
This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 11:19 AM with the headline "Mother’s Day tributes from readers who are ‘just like Mom’."