Mother S Day

EDITOR'S NOTE: We asked our readers to share their photos and stories in honor of their mothers. Each letter writer and photo sender had one thing in common. They all wanted to wish their moms a happy Mother's Day. Our mothers are still full of surprises. I just discovered this poem that my mother, Fran Miehl, wrote 30 years ago: o7 I am a slow-maturer Insight came too late Motivation's furor Is seeking a rebate. f7 I never knew my mother wrote poetry.

Susan's mother made the ultimate sacrifice. When she was born, Susan (not her real name) was given up for adoption by her birth mother because she was not in a position to care for her. That's the short story. Susan was adopted into a home where the husband and wife had one child and wanted one more but could not conceive. When she was old enough, which is not always a fixed chronological age, Susan was told about her history. At the age of 33, Susan decided that she wanted to track down her birth mother.

It's all about mothers. As well it should be. Fathers are nice, more or less, but mothers are essential. You know it, I know it, everyone knows it. When is the last time you saw some poor soul in a movie, who is delirious on his death bed, take one last breath, reach out toward no one in particular and say, "Dad, is that you?" Never, that's when. The line is "Mom, is that you?" always, every time, no exceptions. Mother's Day ragers are not new. They date back to ancient Greece, the earliest being a yearly tribute to Rhea, who was the mother of all the gods, and boy was she tired.

Newport Beach-based Daddy Cakes will pamper Mommies this Mother’s Day at a special brunch to be held 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 9 at The District at Tustin Legacy. The retail destination is hosting a Mother’s Day contest in conjunction with Whole Foods Market and Daddy Cakes Bakery. All Orange County children ages 12 and under are invited to submit a drawing of what Mother’s Day means to them and 50 lucky winners will enjoy a private pancake brunch featuring Daddy Cakes pancakes.

Green Systems International is having a special for Mother's Day on fresh-cut orchid floral arrangements. Award-winning designer Richard Moriarty has created beautiful arrangements in various sizes and designs. Green Systems carries the largest stock of orchids in Orange County. There are thousands of plants in bloom. Cut orchid arrangements are priced at less than $1 per flower. It's open from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday only. Green Systems is at 20362 Southwest Birch St., Newport Beach.

Let's be honest about it. The only reason there is a Father's Day is Mother's Day. No need to feel awkward or embarrassed. We can take it. Those of us in the International Brotherhood of Fatherhood are perfectly OK with it. The real adulation goes to the mothers, as well it should. Fathers are nice, more or less, but mothers are essential. You know it, I know it, everyone knows it. When is the last time you saw some poor soul in a movie who is delirious on his death bed take one last breath, reach out toward no one in particular and say -- "Dad, is that you?"

Father's Day is fast approaching, and I'm as usual unprepared. I blame elementary school. Every year, come Mother's Day, my teachers would set aside an afternoon to work on beautifully handcrafted gifts for our mothers. The thing is, that wasn't the case for our fathers. Because Father's Day fell so close to the end of the school year, my teachers never seemed to find the time to do the same for our dads. I can recall one year, when my brothers and I were much younger, we had each made Mother's Day gifts in school but made nothing for Father's Day. Feeling the weight of guilt on our shoulders, the three of us decided to take things into our own hands.

Forget about diamonds from Tiffany's or a trip around the world. Time after time, moms everywhere say the one thing they really want for their special day is time with their family. With that in mind, here are some very special gifts for Mother's Day. A Grape Escape Let mom experience peace and serenity — something she may not get a lot of at home — while drifting over vineyards as the sun rises over the mountains in Temecula. Take flight with the birds and observe wildlife marveling at the sight of a beautiful hot air balloon floating overhead.

Each year for about 10 years, Patricia McLaughlin's third-graders at Mariners Elementary School have written short essays about their moms for Mother's Day. Publishing them in the Pilot gives them extra incentive, McLaughlin said. "The audience is not only their mom but the community, so it's important for them to think about what they're writing," McLaughin said. Here is what her third-graders wrote this year. I have a great mom. She is a great mom because she bought me a PlayStation2 on Sunday with a game that's called Star Wars Battle Front.

WEATHER Warm and sunny. It's the kind of day that makes you want to get married. See Page A2 SPORTS Costa Mesa baseball exacts revenge on Saddleback, 14-3. See Page B1 FILM FESTIVAL The best of the best are named. See Page A5 THANKS, MOM ABOUT MOTHER'S DAY Moms do it all, there's no doubt about it. Send the Daily Pilot a paragraph about why your mom's so great, along with a photo, for publication on Mother's Day. The deadline is May 1. E-mail to dailypilot@latimes.

Dear Mom, Thank you for being the best mom ever. If it weren't for you, we would be unhealthy. Thanks for keeping us organic and pure. Love, Sarah and Chase Dear Momma, today is Mother's Day, And I want to say thank you. Not a day goes by where I'm not surprised With everything you do. You hold together a family of six, As if it's a piece of cake. Every day you give and give, But I never see you take. Exactly 24 years ago, It was you who gave me birth, Having you as my Momma, Makes me the luckiest girl on Earth.

Just hours before Sunday's announcement of the killing of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. forces, I gathered with hundreds of Muslims, Christians and Jews celebrating our faiths, our friendship, and the women in our lives, particularly mothers, at the Interfaith Peace Ministry of Orange County's "Celebration of Mothers" event. What a joy it was for me to reflect upon women in Christianity, and hear similar reflections by my cousins in Judaism and Islam. I parted from them feeling an incredibly strong connection, so blessed to recognize again our commonalities as people of faith and as American families.

Kelly Mitchell has plenty to celebrate this Mother's Day. Last year, as she celebrated her first Mother's Day as a mom, the Daily Pilot published her first-person account of a health scare that she endured during and after that pregnancy. Mitchell, 40, a former Newport-Mesa schoolteacher, was seven months pregnant in 2009 when headaches brought on by what she thought was "pregnancy brain" became unbearable. They got so bad that she could barely see or remember anything.

Want to see your messages and photos expressing love for your mom published in the Daily Pilot on Mother's Day? From now until 5 p.m. May 4, the Daily Pilot will be accepting Mother's Day notes and photographs to be considered for publication on May 8. Please observe the following guidelines, otherwise we cannot publish your special messages and/or photos: Messages and/or photos will only accepted via e-mail at dailypilot@latimes.com ...

David Diaz, MD, FACOG In honor of Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9th) and NIAW (National Infertility Awareness Week April 24th to May 1st), West Coast Fertility Centers is offering a complimentary Low-Stim IVF treatment cycle to one qualified patient who submits the winning 400 word essay. Please watch the YouTube video for the contest entry and information. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Z3JbuqEK8 National Infertility Awareness Week is a movement to raise awareness about the disease of infertility which affects 7.3 million Americans.

Kimberly, Sometimes we take our families for granted, assuming they will always be there no matter what happens. There is absolutely no replacement for our family. All the friends and money in the world cannot separate people joined by love. So today I stop and say thanks for everything you do for our family. I am very lucky to have not only the greatest wife, but also the best Mother on the planet for our boys. With Love, Bob. Bob Miller Newport Beach Mom, Thanks for being the greatest!

Piecemakers County Store , 1720 Adams Ave., Costa Mesa — Mother’s Day Tea and Make-It-&-Take-It Tea Cup Pincushion, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9. For $20 make a tea cup pincushion and enjoy tea and homemade shortbread cookies. South Coast Plaza — On May 8 and 9 all moms who stop by a concierge or valet location will receive a complimentary rose. AnQui Restaurant , 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa — Mother’s Day Single Dress Fashion Show, noon to 4 p.m. May 8 Costa Mesa Marriott , 500 Anton Blvd.

Want to express your love for mom in the hometown paper? The Daily Pilot is accepting Mother’s Day notes and photographs to be considered for publication May 9. Please observe the following guidelines, otherwise we cannot publish your special messages and/or photos:  Messages and/or photos will only accepted via e-mail at dailypilot@latimes.com (submissions sent via regular mail will not be accepted).   Your e-mails should say “Mother’s Day’s message” in the subject line.

Newport Beach-based Daddy Cakes pampered 50 Mommies and their children this Mother’s Day at a special brunch held at The District at Tustin Legacy. Each child received an official event Chef’s toque and other gifts, that even mom can enjoy! The brunch featured giveaways, prizes and live entertainment, including a balloon-maker and music. “The District is the ultimate family destination and in line with the many events we have hosted for families throughout Orange County, this event with Whole Foods Market and Daddy Cakes Bakery is another way for us to contribute to the community,” commented Kimberly Daskas, Director of Marketing for The District at Tustin Legacy.