memory of mom contest - Five More Minutes With

Memory of Mom: The Cheerleader in My Corner

Written by on May 12, 2012

Ann Morgan James and her mother riding a tandem bike when her mother was in her late 70s.

Ann Morgan James, author of “How to Raise a Millionaire: Six Millionaire Skills You Can Teach Your Kids So They Can Imagine and Live the Life of Their Dreams,” shared this story about good times with her mother.

Thanks, Ann!

First thing I would do is pull out the Scrabble board.

Even if we didn’t finish the game, playing a hand or two would be so very special!

Second, I would hold her every second. . .look in her eyes and see her knowing smile and unconditional love which was always there.

Third, I would tell her all my dreams and goals I am trying to accomplish.

I won’t weigh down the conversation by hashing over stuff that has happened since she was gone.

I would simply spend ever second soaking up all her positive energy and unflagging belief in me, so I could have it when she was gone again.

One of the hardest things about not having my Mom around has been keeping my chin up without my cheerleader in my corner.

Going through a divorce, reinventing myself at age 50, and dealing with life’s blows has been hard at times.

It’s those times–when I need someone to have my back and I don’t–that miss her the most.

It’s those times when I pull on the internal strength she planted in me so I can believe in myself and make my own way.

These are the gifts I am planting in my son.

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Memory of Mom: Your Blue-Striped Apron

Written by Charlene Morella on May 11, 2012

Charlene Morella displays photos of her mother and the blue apron mentioned in her story, below.

This is Charlene Morella’s Mother’s Day Tribute to her Mom, who passed away May 6, 2002, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Thanks for such a moving entry, Charlene!

Dear Mom,

I hope you know how much I love and miss you everyday.

When I think about you, I picture your beautiful white hair and smiling face.

I can still feel the touch of your soft hands when you touched mine, and how you gently patted my check and still called me “baby,” even as I approached my 60th birthday.

There has not been a moment in my life when I didn’t feel nurtured by your unconditional love and acceptance.

The vision that most often comes to mind is seeing you in our kitchen wearing the blue-striped apron that I gave you many years ago for Mother’s Day.

This room was the hub of your existence.

My most vivid memories are the image of you in your apron, taking a tissue from its pocket to dry my tears, or of you dispensing one of your early-morning hugs as I groggily joined you for breakfast before school, or of us sitting down together at the kitchen table for a mother-daughter talk.

The striped apron now hangs on the back of my laundry-room door.

It’s faded and has obtained a gentle softness from its countless washings.

I don’t have a wardrobe of aprons as you did. I don’t need them. I have your apron.

There are many things in my home that once graced your home. But none evoke such deep emotion in me as that blue-striped fabric hanging in my laundry room.

It is a symbol of all the good parts of my life growing up, and the woman that made it so.

You, my Mother, were my beloved role model and the very first love of my life.

So tonight as I go to prepare dinner, first, I’ll wear my apron in a silent tribute to you.

We will be eternally bound together by its tattered apron strings.

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Memory of Mom: Trying to Be the Son You Wanted Me to Be

Written by Donald Hoofard, Sr. on May 10, 2012

Donald Hoofard, Sr., is a former Federal Fugitive Recovery Agent (bounty hunter), now turned fiction writer (author of the Dane series) and editor at the Hoofard Agency in Jasper, Texas. He started writing thanks to his mother’s final request.

Donald told me, “My mother, on her death bed, asked me to write my life’s story, saying that I had a life few have ever known and should write about that life. I gave her my word I would do as she had asked, but put it off for almost eight years. Now I am a published author thanks to her last request.”

Congratulations, Donald!

I was not the best of sons.

She may not have been the best of mothers.

But if I had five more minutes with her, I would say this much.

“Mom, I hope that all is well now that you’re in heaven and in no more pain.

“I just wanted you to know that I have taken your last words to me to heart, and written the story of my life as you wanted me to do.

“I may not have been the son you always wanted me to be, but I am trying still. Don’t give up on me yet.

“It is you who has helped me to finally know myself and put my life on paper at last.

“I tell of my life and think of you often through the pages to their very end.

“I love you. I miss you.

“I hope that one day when my time comes, that I again am with you.”

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Memory of Mom (MoM) – Video Entry by Life Coach Allana Pratt

Written by Allana Pratt on May 8, 2012

In this moving video, family and relationship expert Allana Pratt shares an actual five minutes thanking her mother, reminiscing about her, and wishing she were still here to meet Allana’s son, Gabriel.

Allana is a multi-talented, renaissance woman. For two years she hosted a #1-rated radio show called How Mama Got Her Groove Back. Now she hosts a weekly live webcast on MingleMediaTV.com, empowering women’s (and a few men’s) authentic sensuality.

She’s a regular TV and radio expert on CBS and FOX News, a published author with her story, “Thank God I am a Single Motherless Mom,” and has produced an internationally selling eBook/audio book set called, “How To Be And Stay Sexy~ Attracting The Love And Attention You Deserve Being Exactly Who You Are.”

Her next book is being edited. Entitled, “The Missing Handbook to Motherhood,” she says, “It’s not about getting your groove back, it’s about birthing a whole new delicious you!”

In her work as a professional speaker, Allana coaches an exclusive base of international clients in groups, privately, and in full-day intensives. Her vibrant, heartfelt message empowers women and moms to cultivate their confidence and inner radiance at the website Redefining Sexuality and men to be confident and noble at the website Get Her To Say Yes.

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Memory of Mom: You Are My Hero!

Written by Lynn Banis on May 8, 2012

Lynn Banis and her mother

This Memory of Mom (MoM) comes from Lynn Banis, who works as a life coach in Illinois. She told me, “Memories of my Mom mean everything to me. I would love to have others know a little of her incredible self.”

Thank you for sending your story, Lynn!

What can I say to you that has not been said, felt, cried about, clung to? I can only say again and again how much I love you.

You gave us–Rich, Bruce and me–a safe but challenging place to live and grow.

You encouraged us to pursue education and become our own persons.

You were always there with practical wisdom to help us on our way.

Your steadfast encouragement lifted us up and kept us going when the going got rough. And it did get rough.

We always knew you were there, though.

I have to laugh about the time you recognized I was not comfortable standing my own ground with my high-school peers. You said to tell them your mom wouldn’t let you–you were happy to be the scapegoat until I could grow into my own sense of self.

I have to admit, it worked so well for me I said it to my teens, too, if they needed it!

I want you to know how proud I am to be your daughter.

You were so active, inquisitive, and courageous during your youth. Who would dive off the 25-foot tower into the Lagoon at the Chicago World’s Fair but you?

You did some amazing things when you were young, and really made a name for yourself yet you never flaunted that.

Through your actions you taught us to be humble and not to expect the world to hand us anything.

We knew we had to work, and work hard to get where we wanted to be.

You are my hero. I don’t know anything that is better than that!

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Memory of Mom: How Will I Live Without You?

Written by Mary Sullivan on May 6, 2012

Mary Sullivan and her 10-year-old daughter write books together. They have two titles already published–“If I Had a Daddy” and “If We Were Best Friends”—and two more are being written.

Of her mother, Mary said, “I miss her every day and talk to her everyday!”

My mom has passed, but if I had five more minutes with her…after telling her I loved her my whole life, I would ask her how am I going to live without you?

Who will be there for me, like you were?

And I would ask her, if she could please watch over me until we meet again!

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Memory of Mom: Miss Pennsylvania

Written by Michael Brein on May 3, 2012

This sweet Memory of Mom comes from Michael Brein, an author and publisher who’s also known as The Travel Psychologist.

Thanks, Michael!

I thought to myself, “Mom,” (who passed on many years ago), “I’m going to Galveston, Texas, to visit friends there. I’ll go the the public library there and look for you. I mean, I’ll look for the photo you were in when you were Miss Pennsylvania, as a participant in the ‘International Bathing Girl Review.'”

And, this I did.

I found her picture and showed it to my friends, saying, “This is my Mom. She was Miss Pennsylvania and was in this pageant in 1928, standing on the seawall in a long line of girls wearing their banners with their countries and states on them!”

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Our First Memory of Mom (MoM) Contest Entry

Written by Ann on April 23, 2012

Many thanks to Ann, who submitted the first Memory of Mom (Mom) entry this year!

Here’s what she had to say about “Gumby,” that special woman in her life.

If I had five more minutes with my Mom, I would remind her of all the great times we had over the years and would thank her for everything she did for me growing up.

And I would tell her how much I love her and will miss her.

She passed away nearly two years ago. I have so many good memories, and we had so much fun giggling together. Only good memories.

Love you, Mom!

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Announcing Our Second Annual Memory of Mom Contest!

Written by Braiden Rex-Johnson on April 12, 2012

Today is an exciting one on Five More Minutes With as we announce our second annual Memory of Mom contest.

As in the past, we are launching a Mother’s Day contest to find the most inspiring story about Mom. Big thanks to Fairytale Brownies, which has generously donated the prize for our winning writer.

For those remembrances shared between today and Thursday, May 10, 2012, you will automatically be entered to win a dozen assorted, fresh-baked Fairytale Brownies in a beautiful Mother’s Day keepsake tin shipped to your home.

As always on Five More Minutes With, you are encouraged to explore the site for inspiration, then submit your own story to share.

Answer the question: What would you say if you had Five More Minutes With. . .Mom?

And what better way to salute Mom than with her very own story just in time for her big day?

Not to mention the chance to win a dozen fresh-baked brownies in tantalizing flavors such as Original, Espresso Nib, Caramel, and Cream Cheese–enough to share with friends and family while you reminisce about Mom. Afterwards, use the keepsake tin to store letters from or photos of your mother.

It’s easy to Share Your Story here.

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Memory of Mom: The 30th Anniversary Party

Written by Wendy Greshel on April 8, 2011

I have so many awesome memories of my Mommy. But I will never forget when I gave her and my Dad a surprise 30th anniversary party at the Searoom.

I decorated the lounge area with all of their wedding items she had treasured throughout the years. Even her wedding dress!

When we arrived, she walked in the back door, and in shock, she leaned next to me and said, “I can’t believe someone is having a party, and I was not invited!”

All of her friends and family were there. Then BLAM she looked around and knew it was for her!

I will never forget the look in her eyes when she hugged and kissed me. I even convinced her to put on her wedding dress and she and my dad danced together.

Almost 29 years later, the day before God took her away from me, we talked about so many things. And she told me that was the best party she had ever been to.

She thanked me again, with tears in her eyes.

My mom was and still is a courageous woman I draw my strength and convictions from. She battled lung cancer for almost 14 years, and never gave up.

I never knew how much she endured her illness, as she did not want me to worry about her.

I love you, MOMMY! 3/31/37 – 3/23/06