Mother of the Year Nominee #9

I goofed. There was one more entry and somehow it got buried in my email. My apologies to this super mom and her super daughter who nominated her!

My Skydiving Mother

By Jennifer

My mother is the woman I want to be when I grow up.  She is kind to all, generous to a fault, adventuresome beyond belief, and more loving than any of us deserve!

Growing up, my mom was never too busy to sit and talk, to go fishing, or to help with a schoolwork assignment.  She supported my brother and me in all we did, even when this meant taking a hunter’s safety course to earn her hunting license so she could go hunting with my brother.

Today, my mom encourages her grandchildren in the same way.   She helps the grandkids complete Scout badges and belt loops by sewing, baking, drilling, and sawing with them when no one else has the time.  Last year, she spent the hottest week of the summer at Webelos camp with our son, Ryan, and while there agreed to be the Pack Grandma (that’s 60 grandsons!) from there on out.

She’ll drive five hours just to see her grandsons perform in a violin recital, or to pick them up to take them to a “really wonderful” event that is happening in her hometown.  Because of grandma, the boys have seen a Broadway show, gone to LEGO camp, and spent countless long-weekends with their only cousin, who lives close to grandma.  As if that weren’t enough, she takes her grandkids (and their parents) all sorts of cool places we’d never be able to take travel on our own:  some close, some far away.

To top it all off, my mom does really cool things like jump out of an airplane, travel to Kenya and Zambia to do mission work, and rebuild houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  My friends are always asking, “So, what’s your mom up to now?,”  and then following up with, “That is SO COOL!”

But above all, my mom loves her family unconditionally.   She tells them she loves them, listens to them in a way NO ONE else does, asks them about their interests, and tells them repeatedly how cute they are (and not just the grandkids).

This Mother’s Day will be bitter-sweet for my mom.   May 8th, Mother’s Day, is the 2-year anniversary of my brother’s unexpected passing at 33.  For all the love my mom gives to others, and all the love she receives in return, I know there is nothing that will ever fill the hole my brother’s death has left in her heart, and this to me makes her all the more amazing.  That she continues to love and to give the way she does is a true testimony to her loving, God-filled spirit.

There was a time, when I was much younger, that my grandmother observed how similar my mom and I were in so many ways.  I was mortified.  Today, I can think of no greater compliment someone could pay me.  My mom is my best-friend, and the woman I’d most like to be like.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!  I LOVE YOU!

Jennifer's skydiving mom, Carol!

Related posts:

  1. Gratituesday-NanaHood’s Mother of the Year Winner!
  2. Mother of the Year Nominee #2
  3. Mother of the Year Nominee #4
  4. Mother of the Year Nominee #5

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61 Comments

  2. What a wonderful tribute to a very special lady! I remember Carol as a very dedicated member of our church, and a lovely mom! All my best wishes to Jen and her mom!
    Happy Mother’s Day!
    Jen Richter

  4. I have come to know Carol through our church. She is an amazing person who is constantly giving of herself. She is very active in different mission trips as well as supporting local causes. To see her with her grandchildren, you can tell that she loves them and her family to no end. I vote that she would be a terrific candidate for mother of the year. Oh and don’t forget that she also does the Polar Bear plunge for Special Olympics.

  5. I have known Carol for about 25 years………she is everything Jennifer said and much more. Carol is remarkable, she gives 100% of herself in whatever she does. I am so blessed to have Carol as my dear, dear friend.
    So, I vote for Carol!!

  7. Yes, Carol is a wonderful person and does alot for others. Yes you do have the greatest Mother.

  8. Jennifer, Your tribute to your mom and all the others that were written, still cannot tell what a wonderful human being your mom is – she did indeed raise beautiful children. I know her and love her. Shirley

  9. This wonderful mother is clearly the best there could be! What a touching, well-written tribute to a very deserving candidate.

  11. As Carol’s pastor I can say that she is one of the most truly amazing people I’ve ever met. She skydives, she does Polar Bear plunges, she raises money for numerous causes, but always puts her money where her mouth is: she goes and does. She has inspired countless people in my church to go and do mission work, because her spirit of caring for others is so infectious.

    I vote for Carol for Mother of the Century!

  13. My Grandma is the best because she takes me to LEGO camp and she lets me stay at her house. Her house is fun because she has a pool and a swingset that she bought just for me and my brother and my cousin and she lets us go on her computer and lets us watch movies. My Grandma is the best because she lets my dog live at her house because my dog likes to be outside and we don’t have a big yard. My Grandma is the best because she gave me a bunny for Easter. My bunny’s name is Annie. I wanted a bunny for 5 years but Mommy and Daddy kept saying not now. My Grandma is the best because she gives me lots of hugs and gives us special desserts like cake and popsicles. My favorite popsicle kind is grape. I love my Grandma!

  14. I met Carol at TSC and we were roommates for three years. I admired her then and even moreso now for her energy, stamina, and commitment to her goals and beliefs. This would be a well deserved award.

  15. My Grandma is the best because she takes me to LEGO Camp and lets me stay at her house without Mommy and Daddy for a long time.

  17. I vote for Carol (#9)——an awesome Mom who has raised an awesome daughter!

  18. Chloe (and Dawson) and I vote for Grandma Stickney. All of what Jennifer writes is true. My daughter had the blessing of being a granddaughter-in-love of Carol’s. It was always a special time when she came to visit and Chloe continues to be thrilled when she receives cards and notes from her 3rd grandma. It is wonderful how much love she shares even across the miles. Happy Mother’s Day – Lori Day

  19. Carol is one of the best the role-models for motherhood as demonstrated by this loving and appreciative essay. I heartily give her my vote!

  20. Carol is probably the most generous person I know. She is not only a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend to so many, but she was a magnificent teacher to many children. Now retired, she is living life to the fullest and constantly inspiring all who know her. You will always have my vote, Carol!

  21. Absolutely has my vote!!! We are all fortunate to have Carol in our lives…she inspires and enriches the lives of everyone who has the wonderful good fortune of knowing and loving her.

  23. I kjnow your Mom from church. She is a very special and energetic woman! I vote for Carol!!!

  28. Wow!! What an amazing lady! Jennifer your mom adds so much richness to life!
    Melondee

  29. I vote for Carol who is one of the best most giving persons I know and she certainly is a great mother and
    grandmother!
    She really cares for people and gives of herself and time without question.

  30. Carol has been a wonderful friend to my 97 year old mother. For many years she visited her once a year in New Jersey. Ten years ago, when Mother moved to Ohio, Carol began making 400 mile trips out here to visit her! She is what friendship is all about!

    Anne

  32. I have gotten to know Carol through volunteer work at our church. She has more energy than people half her age, and her passion for helping others is an inspiration to all who know her! Carol frequently has her grandkids at church, and it is clear to see how much she loves them. Having listened to Carol speak of her children, it is obvious she is every bit as proud of them.

    She gets my vote!

    Margie

  33. Jennifer could not have given a better description of her mother. I have always thought her to be a kind, caring and considerate person but Jennifer’s wonderful words taught me a lot about her I did not know. Carol is a fantastic person and mother she gets my vote!

  34. My vote is for Jennifer’s mother Carol. I knew her when I was little as my Girl Scout troop leader. I have so many fond memories of that time thanks to her. I remember her as a truly kind person that made Girl Scouts one of the most memorable and favorite times of my life.

  35. Carol is full of surprises I met her on a trip to Kenya… and she does the polar bear plunge for special olympics… She is an awesome person… She gets my vote

  36. Carol is an amazing woman, she gives so much to so many. All the hours she volunteers, does mission work for her church and the the love and guidance she gives the her grandkids is amazing, Not to many Grandmas go camping with the cub scouts!!! She has done this many times. I have had the priviledge of working with Carol and I have seen just how wonderful she is!!! She is a fabulous woman. I hope you had a great Mothers Day Carol… Hope to see you and the kids again soon at the farm!!!

  37. From the quiet girl I knew in high school to this sky diving grandma, you’ve come a long way baby! You give all of us grandmas something to aim for. None of this sitting around in a rocking chair for us. Can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the future.

  38. Jennifer, I agree with what you wrote. Your mom Carol is a fantasic lady. I have been friends with her for over 50 years. Iam so very happy that we became friends. I would vote yes for to win the contest. Shirley M.

  41. Happy Mother’s Day!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you Grandma!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Love,
    Sarah

  42. What a beautiful tribute Jennifer. This world is TRULY a better place with Carol in it – she has touched so many lives!

    Happy Mother’s Day Carol!

    Love,

    Deb

  45. Jen, that was a beautiful tribute to your mom & so very true. Carol, from the first time I met you, you took my family in & loved us unconditionally. You have always supported the autism cause for my son Justin. You are truly amazing woman who raised a truly amazing daughter that I call one of my dearest friends. Bless you both this Mother’s Day!

  47. This mother/grandmother gets my vote. Not only does she encourage (“you can do it”) she leads by example!

  49. Jennifer’s comments make me want to be like Carol too. She has inspired and encouraged me to recruit others to go to NOLA and work restoring homes. And as a result a band of eager hands are going on a “Road Trip” for that purpose. As far as emulating Carol though, some of us have to draw the line in the sand on the Polar Bear plunges she makes. God has placed a wonderful woman in our midst.

  50. I know Carol and she is a wonderful mom and wife. She is self-less and does great mission work for our church. She is no doubt your winner of the greatest mom contest.

  51. its true Jen, your mom is the best! I remember her like it was yesterday when in fact it was 30+ years. Still leaves and impression. all the best to you!

    robert in tokyo

  56. From the first day I met her over 50 years ago, I knew that she was special. Today more than ever my thoughts have not changed. She was the perfect mother for our two children and excels at being the perfect grandmother. Happy Mother’s Day Carol.

    Love always Ronnie

  57. I had Carol as a teacher while I was in high school. She was ONE of the best teachers that I had because no matter how long it took, she would ALWAYS be there to help. She was someone to sit down next to and discuss whatever was on our mind. She was there for me outside of high school and has been one of the most influential people that I have the honor to share in life. Carol is TRULY one amazing woman.

  59. My Mom is the best! It was so hard to limit my post to about 300 words. I could write volumes about how much she means to me, how much she does for others, how big her heart is.

  60. Thank you, Jennifer! That is a very special Mother’s Day gift from the heart. I love you.

  61. I vote for Carol (nominee #9.) Jennifer has written a beautiful and loving tribute to her mother. Carol sounds like a wonderful role model filled with enormous inner strength to give to others despite the loss of her young son. I love her spirit of adventure and her devotion to her family.
    I wish all the nominees a Happy Mother’s Day and thank you for providing a forum to read their stories.

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